Storm Sewer Pollution Prevention Plan

Did you know that the City of North St. Paul is an MS4? A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a conveyance, or system of conveyances (i.e., municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, channels, etc.) that is designed to collect stormwater and is owned and operated by a public entity, such as the City of North St. Paul. Stormwater from an MS4 is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) MS4 permit released by the MPCA. It is intended to reduce sediment and other pollutants from entering state waters. MS4s must develop a program, known as an SWPPP, to satisfy permit requirements. The opportunity for public comment, provided once a year, is now available through the end of 2021.

Storm Sewer System

A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a conveyance, or system of conveyances (i.e., municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, channels, etc.) that is designed to collect stormwater and is owned and operated by a public entity. Stormwater from an MS4 is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) MS4 permit to reduce pollution from conveyance systems. North St. Paul is a MS4 and is required to minimize pollutants that enter their systems through a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Each SWPPP includes six minimum control measures (MCM) that address the following areas:

1. Public education and outreach
2. Public participation and involvement
3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination
4. Construction site stormwater runoff control
5. Post-construction site management
6. Good housekeeping and pollution prevention

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit

Minimum Control Measure 1: Public Education and Outreach

• Informational material available on City website
• Newsletters distributed on a regular basis
• Continued partnership with RWMWD
• Many in-person outreach activities were postponed due to the global pandemic and will resume in 2021

Minimum Control Measure 2: Public Participation and Involvement

• MS4 Annual Board was published for the month of December on the City’s webpage

Minimum Control Measure 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

• Documentation and response to an illicit discharge
• Illicit discharge enforcement action
• Zero (0) illicit discharges reported in 2020
• City field staff received illicit discharge training 

Minimum Control Measure 4 & 5: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Post-Construction Stormwater Management

• Thirteen (13) active construction sites greater than one acre
• 45 enforcement actions issued

Minimum Control Measure 6: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

• Quarterly Public Works inspections and maintenance 
• Public Works Staff Training
• Completed required inspections for stormwater infrastructure: 
  • BMP inspections - 9
  • Outfall inspections - 30
  • Pond inspections – 10
  • BMP Maintenance

2021 MS4 Program Goals

• Continue to offer educational materials and opportunities to citizens about the MS4 program, pollution prevention practices, and other information regarding stormwater while expanding partnerships with RWMWD
• Increase education, monitoring, and enforcement regarding illicit discharge, pet waste,  & snow and salt management per the new 2020 MS4 General Permit
• The City looks forward to 2021 in-person, community events to promote MS4 Outreach

Public Comments

In order to comply with a section of MCM 2, the poster board providing information on the work and implementation of the City’s MS4 program in 2020 will be available for viewing on the City webpage. For each MCM, descriptions will be given on what the City did during the year to comply with the permit. The City must also offer an opportunity for the public to provide input on the adequacy of their SWPPP; to citizens who wish to supply comments on the City’s SWPPP. Public comments for this year's application are complete.f you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the City at 651-747-2400.