MS4 Program

MS4 stands for “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System.” This system is owned and operated by a public body, in our case  the Borough of Ephrata, and includes inlets, basins, man-made channels, culverts, storm drains, and various other stormwater collection and conveyance facilities.

The MS4 program is federally mandated under the Clean Water Act and is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The Borough is a small MS4 community. As part of this mandate, we are required to maintain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit coverage.

The NPDES permit is essential for managing water quality by regulating sources of pollution. It requires the Borough to meet the requirements listed in the Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) and Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP). To ensure we are meeting our NPDES permit requirements, the Borough must submit an Annual Report to the PADEP, summarizing the activities completed.  Links to the current NPDES Permit and most recent Annual Report are below.

Minimum Control Measures (MCMs)

The MCMs are requirements that the Borough of Ephrata need to meet as part of the NPDES. Below is a brief explanation of each MCM. For additional information on each MCM and the associated requirements, please see our NPDES Permit.

MCM 1 – Public Education and Outreach

Educating residents on stormwater related issues is vital to the success of the MS4 Program. As a result, the Borough has been tasked by PADEP to provide residents with access to educational materials. 

MCM 2 – Public Participation and Involvement

In addition to education, it is important to provide residents with an opportunity to get involved with stormwater management activities and decision-making processes. This can occur in many ways, such as through volunteer events or receiving input on things like the Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) or Stormwater Management Ordinances.

MCM 3 – Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

It is important that we don’t harm our local creeks and streams by allowing pollutants to enter our stormwater systems. A good rule to follow is “only rain in the storm drain.” If you see anyone dumping anything into the stormwater system, please call the Borough at 717-738-9222 and notify us of the situation. Illicit discharge concerns can also be submitted to the Borough’s online request tracker.

MCM 4 – Construction Site Runoff Control

Similar to protecting our local waterways in MCM3, it is important that excess sediment is not allowed to enter our stormwater system during construction activities. To avoid this, Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) controls are utilized during construction. If you ever see water that looks like chocolate milk running off a construction site, please notify the Borough at 717-738-9202 so we can work on correcting the issues that may be present.

MCM 5 – Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) in New Development and Redevelopment

Both new development and redevelopment projects are required to install stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs are designed to manage the volume and quality of stormwater discharged from the property, helping with issues such as flooding and water quality. Examples of BMPs include rain gardens, detention basins, and bioswales. PADEP requires regular inspection of these BMPs to ensure they are functioning correctly.

MCM 6 – Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations and Maintenance

Municipal operations have a potential to negatively impact our local waterways, such as incorrect disposal of hazardous materials. This MCM is the Borough’s way to ensure that our operations have the lowest possible impact on our waterways and the environment. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plans were developed to ensure proper response to any unforeseen situations that may arise. Furthermore, the Borough regularly conducts inspections of it’s facilities throughout the permit cycle, to ensure the Borough is operating and maintaining its facilities properly.

What can I do to help?

You can make a difference and help us keep our local waters clean. As a visitor to this site, you've already taken the first step: getting informed. Step two: adopt a couple of clean water habits, such as:

  • Picking up after your pets and disposing of their waste properly.
  • Applying fertilizer and pesticides in the proper amounts. Besides costing more, excess fertilizers run off your lawn and into streams, where they cause nutrient-loading which in turn deprives aquatic species of proper oxygen levels.
  • Maintaining your vehicle properly, and most importantly, not dumping oil or any type of fluid down storm drains.
  • Not littering, as litter washes away with storm water and can be ingested by fish, birds, or other wildlife.
  • Winter Maintenance - De-Icing Best Practices