Within the Oak Lodge Water Services boundaries, storm water runs directly into local ditches, creeks and rivers without treatment. The MS4 Permit supports water quality efforts such as adding green infrastructure to help filter pollutants like warmer temperatures, oil from roads, or runoff from tires.

The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit is a regulatory permit required by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under the National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). OLWS partners with Clackamas County and 11 co-permittees to implement the Clackamas Phase I MS4 Permit in our area. Oregon DEQ bases the requirements in part on the Water Quality Status and Trends Analysis. The permit requires human efforts to keep pollution out of waters of the state.

The MS4 Permit requires the creation of a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) with activities designed to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff.  

• The current MS4 Permit is posted here.
• The current Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) is posted here.

Requirements include programs for:​

• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Regulation of Industrial and Commercial Facilities
• Construction Site Runoff Control
• Education and Outreach
• Public Involvement and Participation
• Post Construction Site Runoff
• Pollution Prevention for Municipal Operations
• Stormwater Management Facility Operation and Maintenance
• Hydromodification Assessments
• Stormwater Retrofit Strategies
• Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting
• Annual Reporting

If you have comments or questions about this information please contact Brad Albert at brad.albert@olws.org.