Protecting water quality takes more than maintaining streets, pipes, and drainage systems. Communities across Nebraska work year-round to reduce stormwater pollution, improve local waterways, and meet environmental requirements designed to protect public resources.

Many of these efforts are carried out through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System programs, commonly known as MS4 programs.

While most residents may never hear the term “MS4,” the work performed through these programs helps protect rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater throughout Nebraska.

Municipal

The system is owned or operated by a public entity such as a city, county, university, military installation, or other governmental organization.

Separate

Stormwater is collected in a system that is separate from sanitary sewers.

Storm Sewer

The system is designed to convey stormwater runoff from rainfall and snowmelt.

System

The network includes many different components working together, including storm drains, pipes, channels, detention areas, and other drainage infrastructure.

An MS4 is a system of streets, storm drains, pipes, ditches, channels, ponds, and other infrastructure used to collect and convey stormwater runoff.

The word separate is important because stormwater systems are different from sanitary sewer systems.

Stormwater systems are designed to carry rainwater and snowmelt runoff. Sanitary sewer systems carry wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries to treatment facilities.

Because stormwater is typically discharged to local waterways, protecting stormwater quality is an important part of protecting water resources.

One of the most common misconceptions is that all water entering a drain receives treatment.

In reality, stormwater and wastewater are usually managed by separate systems.

Wastewater from sinks, showers, toilets, and businesses is typically conveyed to a treatment facility before being discharged.

Stormwater runoff often flows directly to local waterways through the storm drainage system.

Because stormwater is generally not treated before discharge, preventing pollution from entering runoff is extremely important.

Stormwater runoff can carry soil, nutrients, bacteria, trash, oil, chemicals, and other pollutants into local waterways.

To help address these impacts, communities across the country and across Nebraska implement stormwater management programs designed to reduce pollution and protect water quality.

MS4 programs provide a framework for communities to identify problems, educate the public, improve practices, and implement long-term solutions.

These efforts help support cleaner waterways, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient communities.

MS4 programs include a variety of activities that work together to improve stormwater quality.

Education helps residents, businesses, and visitors understand how everyday activities affect stormwater quality.

Topics often include:

• Pet waste
• Lawn care
• Household chemicals
• Storm drain protection
• Water conservation
• Pollution prevention

Public education empowers individuals to take actions that protect local waterways.

Community involvement is an important part of successful stormwater programs.

Many communities encourage participation through:

• Volunteer events
• Stream cleanups
• Educational activities
• Public meetings
• Community partnerships

These efforts help build awareness and support for water quality initiatives.

An illicit discharge is anything entering the storm drainage system that should not be there.

Examples may include:

• Improper wastewater connections
• Dumping of chemicals
• Vehicle fluids
• Wash water
• Other non-stormwater discharges

Communities work to identify and eliminate these discharges before they impact waterways.

Construction activities can expose soil to erosion during rainfall.

Stormwater programs help ensure that erosion and sediment controls are used to reduce impacts to nearby waterways.

Examples include:

• Silt fences
• Stabilized construction entrances
• Sediment basins
• Temporary vegetation

These practices help keep soil on the construction site and out of streams and lakes.

Stormwater management continues after construction is complete.

Communities may require practices that help manage runoff from new development and redevelopment projects.

Examples include:

• Rain gardens
• Bioswales
• Infiltration practices
• Detention facilities

These practices help protect water quality and reduce runoff impacts over the long term.

Communities also evaluate their own operations to reduce stormwater pollution.

Examples may include:

• Street sweeping
• Facility inspections
• Proper material storage
• Employee training
• Stormwater infrastructure maintenance

These activities help reduce pollution from municipal operations.

Protecting water quality is a shared responsibility.

Residents can help by:

   ✓ Picking up pet waste

   ✓ Keeping leaves and grass clippings out of streets

   ✓ Properly disposing of household chemicals

   ✓ Maintaining vehicles to prevent leaks

   ✓ Reporting suspicious discharges

   ✓ Supporting local stormwater initiatives

Small actions across a community can have a meaningful impact.

• Stormwater 101
• Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater
• Green Infrastructure 101
• Flooding, Runoff, and Resilience
• Understanding MS4 Programs
• Stormwater Pollution Sources