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Municipal Storm Water Program

Grand River Lansing
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Municipal Storm Water Program

The goal of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program is to reduce the discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the State.  An MS4 is a system of drainage (including roads, storm drains, pipes, and ditches, etc.) that is not a combined sewer or part of a sewage treatment plant.  During wet weather, pollutants are transported through MS4s to local water bodies.

Needs Survey

EGLE is reaching out to municipal officials for information as part of a nationwide survey to guide investments in clean water infrastructure.

The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS), hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, helps determine resources needed to improve wastewater, storm water, decentralized, and nonpoint source systems. Data collection began March 1, 2022 and will conclude April 28, 2023.

EGLE is requesting that communities submit their capital improvement plans covering the next five to 20 years, with a goal to document as many capital needs as possible for the state. Although this is called a survey, EGLE is not requesting that communities do anything beyond submitting capital improvement plans that have already been completed. No additional effort will be needed, and participation will be paramount to determining the true needs of Michigan. Please use the link below to submit your capital improvement plan directly to EGLE for CWNS survey use.

Submit Capital Improvement Plan for CWNS 2022

Learn More about the CWNS

Permits

Storm water discharges from a regulated MS4 to a surface water of the State in an urbanized area are subject to regulation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.  MS4 permittees generally include the following municipal entities: cities, townships, villages, county agencies, universities, and school districts.  The Department completed maps to identify MS4s located in an urbanized area that may require coverage under an MS4 permit. 

Who may be regulated: Urbanized Area Maps

How to view permits on public notice: MiEnviro Public Notice

Application Information

The following documents are available to assist with completing the abbreviated MS4 application form for permit reissuance in the MiEnviro Portal.

Compliance Assistance Documents

The following documents are available to assist with developing and implementing a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) as part of the MS4 program.

  Storm Water Resources

This page can be accessed as Michigan.gov/MS4

Contacts

Lishba Varughese
VarugheseL@Michigan.gov
248-508-1083

MS4 Program Staff Assignments

Michigan's Storm Water programs

Common information

Laws and Rules