Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
Specifically, an MS4, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, is a conveyance or system of conveyances that is:
- Owned by a state, city, town, village, or other public entity that discharges to waters of the U.S.
- Designed or used to collect or convey stormwater (e.g. storm drains, pipes, ditches)
- Not a combined sewer
- Not part of a sewage treatment plant, or publicly owned treatment works
North Huntingdon’s MS4s are currently regulated under guidelines by Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection as well as the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The overall purpose of these MS4 programs and regulations is to improve the quality of water and maintain that quality in municipalities through reducing water pollutants carried by or eroded into stormwater runoff. North Huntingdon has created a stormwater management plan to be a part of cleaning up our waters.
- Not being conscientious of what gets dumped down storm drains as well as what is on our lawns and driveways
- Runoff carries a number of undesirable chemicals and materials such as fertilizers, pesticides, car soaps, and automotive fluids into storm drains and water sources
- Water from the storm drains is not treated and channels into local creeks that flow into larger water sources
- The resulting pollution affects the well-being of marine life and can affect people who consume seafood regularly if the seafood came from a polluted water source. It can also affect the health of children who play in the creeks and streams in the area.
North Huntingdon’s stormwater management plan includes the following:
- Public education and outreach
- Public involvement and participation
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
- Construction site runoff control
- Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance
- Recycle as many environmentally hazardous materials as you can such as aluminum, plastic, glass, motor oil and antifreeze
- Do not dump anything into storm drains
- Pick up loose litter and garbage before it enters a storm drain
- Use environmentally-friendly pesticides
- Use limited fertilizer amounts
Recycling Resources North Huntingdon:
More information on scheduling a free pick up:
County Hauling's At Your Door Collection Program (PDF)
Find a drop-off location near you:
Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Guide (PDF)