This year Bayou City Waterkeeper plans to push for an important update of Houston and Harris County's MS4 stormwater/wastewater permit regulations. This will be necessary to reduce the trash and pollutants that enter area waterways resulting in harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. Please see the document link and excerpts pasted in below. There is also a petition circulating, linked below. Please share this information with others. This is an effort that the Houston Sierra Club should actively support.
Documents and excerpts from Bayou City Waterkeeper (BCW):
What is the MS4 permit?
The MS4 permit is mandated by the Clean Water Act and regulates stormwater management and safeguarding our waterways. The current permit, in place since 2009, is due for a much-needed overhaul. The upcoming MS4 renewal in 2024 presents an opportunity to address issues like trash and industrial pollution in our bayous and spur investment in our natural systems through green stormwater infrastructure.
Issue Overview:
What is the MS4? A conduit for cleaner water & greener communities - Bayou City Waterkeeper
Link to petition to show your support:
What does “MS4” mean and why does this matter?
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) is a program under the federal Clean Water Act that governs stormwater runoff in urban areas across the United States, including the greater Houston region. The term “storm sewer systems” within the acronym “MS4” encompasses the networks of drains and pipes owned by public entities that are responsible for collecting and transporting stormwater, such as rainwater that flows over streets, parking lots, and other surfaces, collecting contaminants and debris along the way. In cities like Houston with separate systems for managing stormwater and sanitary sewage, MS4s discharge stormwater directly into local water bodies, without any treatment. This means that everything stormwater picks up as it travels—including gasoline, motor oil, trash, pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, and sewage from faulty septic systems or sanitary sewer overflows— gets carried directly into our bayous.
How does this affect me?
Our region’s MS4 permit will be up for renewal in 2024. This permit renewal period presents an opportunity to significantly reduce trash and industrial pollution burdening local waterways—building on other community wins in recent years that have led the City of Houston to address illegal dumping, maintain open-ditch drains, invest in
sanitary sewer infrastructure; and Harris County to invest in flood infrastructure. The renewal process offers a chance to center community priorities and energize new partnerships between the City, County, and the Flood Control District, focused on addressing industrial pollution and illegal trash dumping, education programs, drainage upgrades, and sewer system improvements, while increasing investment in green infrastructure.
What is green stormwater infrastructure?
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) integrates natural landscapes and processes to manage stormwater runoff. GSI is also referred to as low-impact development or nature-based solutions. While we often think of green infrastructure for flood benefits, it also helps mitigate environmental impact of stormwater through sustainable practices—such as permeable pavements, bio-swales, urban forestry, and wetlands restoration. GSI does this while providing multiple other benefits: it also can create recreational space and wildlife habitat, improve water and air quality, capture carbon, reduce urban heat, and minimize erosion.
Link to Petition to show your support:
For questions or feedback about this article, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com
Photo by Frank Blake