Welcome to the Stormwater Management Page!
What is MS4?
MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) which are a conveyance of separate storm structures including catch basins, storm drains and sewers, ditches etc. that discharge into the waterways of the Commonwealth. The MS4 program is only for separate storm sewer systems and NOT sanitary or combined systems.
A municipality is considered a MS4 when there is urbanized area within the bounds of the municipal boundary determined by the US Census Bureau. The MS4 program is monitored and issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. (PADEP)
Houston Borough is a municipality under the PAG-13 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (NPDES Permit No. PAG136213). Permittees under the MS4 permit are responsible for the pollutant load and stormwater runoff within the MS4’s urbanized areas that are discharging to the downstream sewers or waters of the Commonwealth. Under this permit, the Borough is required to address these pollutant control measures by informing the community on stormwater and how the community can assist the Borough in meeting their stormwater management requirements.
Illicit Discharges
An illicit discharge is any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer system that is NOT a stormwater ONLY discharge. Examples of illicit discharge include dumping materials in an inlet or stream (paint, construction materials – asphalt, concrete, etc. household wastes/materials – oil, gas, leaves, grass clippings, etc.). For more information on illicit discharge please view the US EPA Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program Development Sheet or the Illicit Discharge flyer with the Borough contact information. https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bmp-illicit-discharge-detection-and-elimination-program-development.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IllicitDischarge.pdf
If you think you may have identified an illicit discharge, please complete the following form: https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Illicit-Discharge-Complaint-Form_Houston-Borough.pdf
Houston Borough MS4 Documents:
2018 -2023 Permit: https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MS4-PERMIT_HOUSTON_BOROUGH_PAG136213.pdf
2023 Annual Report: https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/636-08_Houston-Borough_FINAL_2023-MS4-Annual-Report-w-mapping.pdf
Stormwater Ordinance: https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Signed-Stormwater-ORDS-492-6.14.pdf
Additional Stormwater Materials:
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PADEP_Be-Stormwater-Smart-MS4Brochure.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PADEP_StreamMaintenanceBooklet.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SW_Booklet_2017_Print.pdf
Stormwater and your Yard:
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Yard-Care.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Planting-Trees.png
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Leaves1.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rain-Garden.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rain-Barrels.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RespectOurWaters_GI-LIDOnePager.docx.pdf
Winter Stormwater:
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WinterStormwater.png
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SnowandIceTips.png
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WinterDrain.png
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SaltUse.png
Stormwater and Your Business:
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BusinessFlyer.pdf
https://houstonborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PollutionPreventionGraphics-1.pdf
For additional information or questions pertaining to Stormwater Management/Houston Borough’s MS4 program, please contact: Marisa Brletic, Project Manager at KLH Engineers, Inc via email at mbrletic@klhengineers.com
Last updated: 2/25/24
MS4 Status Report July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP)/ TMDL Plan Final Report
Houston Borough MCM #1 Public Education an Outreach Plan (PEOP)
MSA Status Report July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025