MS4 Program Mission Statement     

The mission of the City of Lebanon’s MS4 Program is to promote public health and safety as well as the continuous improvement of both local and state water quality through the implementation of stormwater pollution prevention standards. Our goal is to mitigate the drainage concerns of the citizens and reduce flooding hazards, while improving water quality through comprehensive planning, public education, and effective management of our stormwater system.

Why is there a MS4 program?

The Clean Water Act and Rule 13 of the Indiana Administrative Code require communities of a certain size to have a Storm Water Quality Management Plan. This is a federally mandated program to improve water quality. The state requires the community to comply with this rule. There is not any federal funding for these programs. The city funds the program through monthly user fees. These fees are shown on your utility bill each month and labeled as a Stormwater Fee.

The current base rate is $5.75 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). These fees are also to provide adequate resources to effectively manage, repair, maintain, and improve the City’s stormwater management system.

There are six minimum control measures that are mandated:

Public Education and Outreach

– Teaching the importance of keeping stormwater clean, and the negative impact daily activities can have on streams and rivers

Public Participation and Involvement

– Including the public in the development and implementation of the city’s community MS4 Program

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

– Identifing and eliminating illegal discharges into the storm sewer system from homes and businesses

Construction Site Run-off Control

– Ensuring that developers, builders, and others implement suitable plans to prevent sediment and pollutants from leaving construction sites

Post-Construction Stormwater Management

– Designing long-term best management practices and control measures that reduce or eliminate polluted stormwater run-off from newly developed or redeveloped areas and make sure that they are maintained to function over time

Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping at Municipal Operations

– Reducing stormwater pollution from local government facilities and activities such as road salting and pesticide use