Assistance Tools for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
Municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) consist of a conveyance or system of conveyances, including roads with drainage systems, streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, human-made channels, or storm drains. The following resources are provided to assist the regulated community in meeting permit requirements.
Tools
- Issued TXR040000 Permit for Phase II (Small) MS4s
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Model Ordinance
- Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality - To determine if the water body receiving your stormwater discharges is impaired and to identify the pollutant associated with that impairment, you must review the current Index of All Impaired Waters. For permitting purposes, Category 4 and 5 represent the list of impaired waterways. Only a portion of impaired waters are associated with an established TMDL.
Maps
Interactive Map of Urbanized Areas - Determine if your Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is in an urbanized area and required to obtain stormwater permit coverage.- Urbanized Area Maps
- Atlas of Texas Surface Waters
- Surface Water Quality (Segments) Viewer - Using this interactive map viewer, users can view stream segments and water bodies monitored by TCEQ. Users can also select a particular segment or water body to view additional information such as segment name, ID number, description, and impairment status.
Forms
To obtain the following forms, go to the TCEQ Forms webpage and search for the form number indicated (in parentheses).
- Notice of Intent (TCEQ Form 20368)
- Notice of Change (TCEQ Form 20392)
- Waiver 1 (TCEQ Form 20369)
- MS4 Annual Reporting Requirements for Phase II (Small) MS4s (TCEQ Form 20561)
Links
- Storm Water Permitting Requirements for Phase II (Small) MS4s
- Grant Program for Managing Nonpoint Source Water Pollution
- Texas Watershed Steward
- Texas Coastal Watershed Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The following links take you off the TCEQ website (). If you encounter an inactive (broken) link, please send an e-mail to TexasEnviroHelp@tceq.texas.gov and indicate which link was broken.
- EPA in Texas
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Municipal Stormwater Programs (PDF) (Help with PDF)
- Menu of Best Management Practices
- Model Ordinances
- Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox
- Oil and Gas Stormwater Permitting
- Search Publications
- Smart Growth - Tools and Resources for Sustainable Communities
- Soak Up the Rain Outreach
- Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Sources
- Stormwater Training Webcasts
Phase I MS4s in Texas
- City of Abilene
- City of Arlington
- City of Austin
- City of Beaumont
- City of Corpus Christi
- City of Dallas
- City of El Paso
- City of Fort Worth
- City of Garland
- City of Houston & Harris County
- City of Irving
- City of Laredo
- City of Lubbock
- City of Plano
- City of Waco
Where can I find more information and assistance?
The TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance Section offers free, confidential help to small businesses and local governments working to comply with state environmental regulations. Call us at 800-447-2827 or visit our webpage at TexasEnviroHelp.org.
