MS4 refers to our community’s system of roads and streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, storm drains and underground infrastructure that convey stormwater. As stormwater runs over driveways, lawns, sidewalks, and roads it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants.
Polluted stormwater runoff is often conveyed to and within the MS4 and ultimately discharged into the Susquehanna River. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged into the water bodies we use for recreation and providing drinking water. Polluted runoff is the nation’s greatest threat to clean water.
The MS4 Program details how our community is working to improve water quality through annual activities to educate and involve the public and prevent pollution from entering our stormwater conveyance system.
The Borough's MS4 Program consists of 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCM) and each MCM includes Best Management Practices (BMP) to be completed annually.
Check out the video below: Clean Water: A Long Journey from the Source to Our Tap (2:19):
Columbia Borough Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
