IN Murrysville Summer 2018 | Page 49

PUBLIC OFFICIALS: MAYOR’S MESSAGE Mayor Regis J. Synan   Murrysville MS4 Program MS4 is an acronym for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. An MS4 is an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issues to municipalities. The purpose of the MS4 permit is to reduce the amount of sediment and pollution that enters surface and ground water from storm sewer systems. Murrysville has developed a MS4 Program to meet the requirements of this permit. As a resident of Murrysville you are part of this program. The permit requires the involvement of all Murrysville residents, businesses, schools and community groups. Senator Robert P. Casey (D-Pennsylvania) Grant Building 310 Grant Street Suite 2415 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412.803.7370 Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania) 100 W. Station Square Dr. Suite 225 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412.803.3501 U.S. Congressman Keith Rothfus (R-PA 12th District) 1205 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202.225.2065 State Senator Don White (R-41st District) 3950 William Penn Highway, Suite 1 Murrysville, PA 15668 724.327.2422 State Representative Eli Evankovich (R-54th District) 3091 Carson Avenue Murrysville, PA 15668 724.387.1281 Traditionally, precipitation percolates into the ground and enters the natural water cycle. However, with an increase in development comes an increase in impervious surfaces rerouting water through overland flow and the MS4. Pollutants are thus more likely to enter our waterways after development. These pollutants could include pesticides, fertilizers, sediment, oil and grease among others that impact the quality of local water ways. Water from your driveway, lawn and local streets is collected and conveyed through the MS4 to surface waters within the Municipality. In order to reduce the amount of pollutants in our surface waters there are many things that can be done by residents and businesses. At home you can clean up after your pets, properly use fertilizers and pesticides, dispose of hazardous substances such as paint, oils, and cleaning supplies properly, install stormwater best management practices (BMPs) on your property, and report any suspicious discharges to the municipality. As a property owner, you can implement BMPs such as rain gardens, tree planting, dry wells, swales, and riparian buffers on your property. More information on how to install stormwater BMPs can be obtained at the municipal office under our community education display. For more information on the MS4 Program, visit the DEP’s website at www.dep.gov, the EPA’s website www.epa.gov and the Municipality of Murrysville website at www.murrysville.com. MURRYSVILLE ❘ SUMMER 2018 47