MS4 Program

NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System

Phase I MS4s in Tennessee:

In response to the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed Phase I of the NPDES Stormwater Program in 1990. Under Phase I, EPA required NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges from "Medium" and "Large" MS4s located in incorporated places or counties with populations of 100,000 or more.

To view permits, please visit the Division of Water Resources Data Viewer

Phase II MS4s in Tennessee

The EPA phase II final rule requires NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges from certain small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). In Tennessee, about 100 cities and counties are required to obtain coverage under a stormwater discharge permit and to implement a set of programs to manage the quality of stormwater runoff from their storm sewer systems.

Training

MyTDEC Forms

The Division of Water Resources hosted a MyTDEC Forms Portal Orientation Session to help familiarize Small MS4 Programs with the  MyTDEC Forms portal and how to create a MyTDEC Forms account. The orientation was recorded, and the video is available below.

Additional User Guides are available for using MyTDEC Forms. 

Notice of Intent
(NOI)

The Division of Water Resources hosted a MyTDEC MS4 NOI Training Session to help familiarize the Small MS4 Programs with the NOI form. The training was recorded, and the video is available below.

Small MS4 Annual Report

Small MS4 Annual Reports must be submitted on or before September 30th of each calendar year. The Small MS4 Annual Reports will be received and processed electronically through the MyTDEC Forms portal.

Small MS4 Annual Reports must be submitted on or before September 30th of each calendar year. The Small MS4 Annual Reports will be received and processed electronically through the MyTDEC Forms portal.

The Division hosted five (5) virtual training sessions to help familiarize the MS4 Programs with the new MyTDEC Small MS4 Annual Report form. The descriptions and links to each training session are provided below.

Please note that each session is unique.
(click each section below to see what is covered in that session)

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the Division of Water Resources hosted a Small MS4 Annual Report training session. The session was recorded, and the video and a pdf of the presentation are available below.

The topics for Session 1 included: 

  • How to register a MyTDEC account
  • How to access the MyTDEC Small MS4 Annual Report form
  • Who should sign the report
  • Form troubleshooting tips
  • Small MS4 Annual Report form – General Information Section
  • Primary Annual Report form contacts
     

On Friday,  June 9, 2023, the Division of Water Resources hosted a Small MS4 Annual Report training session. The session was recorded, and the video and a pdf of the presentation are available below.

The topics for Session 2 included:

  • Minimum Control Measure 1: Public Education
  • Minimum Control Measure 2: Public Involvement & Participation
  • Form troubleshooting tips
  • Primary Annual Report form contacts
  • Details on sharing a form

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Division of Water Resources hosted a Small MS4 Annual Report training session. The session was recorded, and the video and a pdf of the presentation are available below.

The topics for Session 3 included:

  • Minimum Control Measure 3: Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE)
  • Minimum Control Measure 6: Pollution Prevention/Good House Keeping for Municipal Operations
  • Form troubleshooting tips
  • Primary Annual Report form contacts
  • Details on sharing a form

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the Division of Water Resources hosted a Small MS4 Annual Report training session. The session was recorded, and the video and a pdf of the presentation are available below.

The topics for Session 4 included the following topics:

  • Minimum Control Measure 4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Pollutant Control
  • Minimum Control Measure 5: Post-Construction/ Permanent Stormwater Management
  • Form troubleshooting tips
  • Primary Annual Report form contacts
  • Details on sharing a form
     

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, the Division of Water Resources hosted a Small MS4 Annual Report training session. The session was recorded, and the video and a pdf of the presentation are available below.

The topics for Session 5 included:

  • Stormwater Management Program Modification
  • Summary of Enforcement Actions
  • Results of Information Collected and Analyzed (Monitoring)
  • Legal Authority
  • Stormwater Management Program Evaluation
  • Form troubleshooting tips
  • Primary Annual Report form contacts
  • Details on sharing a form
     

Additional Related Information

Helpful Resources

Below you will find a curated selection of resources that have undergone review by the Division of Water Resources staff for their relevance, accuracy, and overall utility. Inclusion in this list signifies that the Division recognizes these resources as valuable references offering guidance in various areas within stormwater management. Users are encouraged to explore these materials and consider how they may inform their understanding and decision-making. Your access to these vetted resources aligns with our commitment to providing reliable information to support informed actions in the realms of environmental stewardship and water quality management.

Whom Do I Contact For Applications, Assistance, And Other Sources of Information?

Requests for information specific to the NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program activities may be received at water.permits@tn.gov.

This Page Last Updated: July 16, 2024 at 2:16 PM