Minimum Control Measures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires six minimum control measures (MCMs) be incorporated into the stormwater management program of a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). These measures are expected to result in significant reductions of pollutants discharged into receiving water bodies. They include:

• A plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges (PDF) to the storm water system (like chemical dumping and waste water connections)
• Construction site runoff controls
• Pollution prevention and municipal good housekeeping measures
• Post-construction runoff controls
• Public education and outreach, which includes teaching citizens about better storm water management
• Public participation: including citizens in solving storm water pollution problems. This includes a required public annual meeting and an annual report