Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

MS4 Program

MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. The City of Hobart has been designated an MS4 by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and is permitted as an MS4 under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). As part of this designation the City of Hobart is required to implement a program to prevent stormwater pollution and improve the water quality of local water bodies. 

MS4 programs are required to comply with six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs). 

  • Public Education, Outreach, Participation and Involvement (MCMs 1-2) 
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (MCM 3) 
  • Construction Site Stormwater Runoff (MCM 4) 
  • Post-Construction Stormwater Runoff (MCM 5) 
  • Municipal Operations Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping (MCM 6) 

The City has developed a Stormwater Quality Management Plan which describes every aspect of Hobart’s MS4 program and how it is implemented. Links are included below to key City of Hobart MS4 program documents.

  • Stormwater Quality Management Plan
  • Annual Report
  • City of Hobart Notice of Intent

As part of the MS4 Program, Hobart adopted an ordinance to protect stormwater within the corporate boundaries of the City of Hobart, Chapter 152 Stormwater Management. Only pure rainwater should enter storm drains or surface waters. The ordinance prohibits illicit connections and discharges to the storm sewer and regulates stormwater detention, water quality, and construction and post-construction practices. 


Improving Stormwater Quality

Residents can help alleviate stormwater pollution in several ways: 

  • Practice dry cleanup methods when cleaning your driveway or sidewalk. Use cat litter to soak up leaked oil, which can then be thrown away in the trash once dry. 
  • Use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers. Phosphorous runoff from lawns encourages algae growth in our lake. 
  • Clean up immediately after your pets and throw the waste into the trash or in the toilet. 
  • Dispose of lawn waste in compost piles and use a mulching mower. 
  • Increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces to reduce polluted runoff. 
  • Do not wash cars, RVs, or boats at home because the detergent laden water runs into storm drains and then into our waterways. Use a full, or self-service car wash when practical. 


Stormwater Quality Management

Permits, Developer Instructions, and Post-Construction BMP’s

The purpose of stormwater management control is to reduce the pollutants from storm water runoff that originates from construction and post construction activities. The City of Hobart is required to have procedures for plan review of construction plans that consider potential water quality impacts.

The City of Hobart requires construction site operators to develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan, or SWPPP, for their storm water discharges. A SWPPP is broader in scope than an erosion and sediment control plan or site plan. 

The SWPPP requires post-construction storm water control measures to be submitted and approved as part of the site review construction plans. Post-Construction Narratives are required before completion of the project. The narrative describes the maintenance guidelines for all post-construction storm water quality measures to facilitate their proper long-term function. 

For information regarding application requirements, please contact the MS4 Coordinator at 219-942-3619.