The MS4 Permit

The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit allows a permittee to discharge stormwater from its stormwater collection and conveyance system into a receiving water owned by the state and/or federal government. The requirements detailed in the permit are intended to reduce stormwater pollutant discharges into those receiving water bodies.

In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required, under Section 402 (p) of the Clean Water Act (N40CFR Part 112.26), to establish final regulations governing stormwater discharge permit application requirements. Shortly thereafter, the MS4 owners within the Palm Beach County geographic area were required to collectively apply for a Phase I MS4 permit. Permits are issued for a 5-year period, however, each permit remains in effect until a subsequent permit is issued. For the Palm Beach County group, the following permits have been issued:

• Cycle 1 - February 1, 1997
• Cycle 2 - November 18, 2002
• Cycle 3 - March 2, 2011
• Cycle 4 - September 8, 2016

The Cycle 5 Phase I permits are currently being drafted by FDEP.

Palm Beach County's Re-application (Year 4 Annual Report submittal) has not been deemed complete and, therefore, our permit will not be issued until all outstanding items are resolved. FDEP has indicated that a supplemental SWMP to implement additional BMPs for the Lake Ida TMDL (Boynton Beach, Delray Beach) are required.

Below are documents related to the Cycle 5 permit:

• The Permit Template, to be used for drafting all Phase I permits in Florida was provided in January 2024 and can be downloaded/viewed here.
• An overview of some of the Cycle 5 permit changes was presented at the February Steering Committee meeting and can be downloaded/viewed here.
• The Cycle 5 Annual Report Template was provided in March of this year and can be downloaded/viewed here.

FDEP has indicated that they are still in the process of updating the Permit Guidance Document to assist permittees in implementing permit requirements.