Meeting MS4 Regulations with StormTank
You may have noticed the term “MS4” popping up recently in community bulletins or your local news. A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a conveyance system that is owned by a town, city, state, or other public entity that discharges to waterways of the United States. MS4s must be designed or used to collect or convey stormwater, via systems like storm drains and pipes, and cannot be combined with any sewers, sewage treatment plants, or publicly owned treatment works.
In 1999, the MS4 program expanded beyond major metropolitan areas and the EPA began utilizing a new census term ─ urbanized areas ─ to classify additional communities that should be regulated by the program. Today, more than 80% of the nation’s population falls within an area regulated as an MS4.
So, as a manufacturer of stormwater management and treatment products, how is Brentwood helping communities meet these regulations?
As stormwater runoff flows over impervious surfaces, it collects contaminants such as trash, oil, and other debris, which are then redistributed into a community’s waterways. Brentwood’s products primarily assist in preventing this problem in post-construction runoff control situations. This control measure was developed to ensure that runoff from development and redevelopment areas can be controlled and treated properly to improve water quality. Brentwood offers two solutions to help communities meet this control measure:
Module
The StormTank Module provides a large, underground storage area for runoff. This allows the rate of discharge to be decreased to, or below, the natural rate, enables the volume to either infiltrate back into the groundwater or be reused for irrigation. Additionally, the Module’s design provides superior strength, allowing it to be installed under trafficked areas, increasing space utilization for development activities while decreasing the stormwater impact on the community.
Shield
The StormTank Shield is designed to help communities and developers capture contaminants within the stormwater drainage system. Installed over the outflow pipe of the catch basin, the Shield prevents floatables, such as trash and petroleum products, from passing through on the surface of the water and induces particle settling for smaller, more dense objects like stone and debris. Unlike many other treatment devices on the market, the Shield is a low-cost alternative that can be installed by the municipality or developer without the need for heavy equipment.