Stormwater runoff is the largest source of surface water pollution, ocean water pollution, and marine debris. At OC Coastkeeper, we’re working to address the issue at the source through stricter stormwater runoff regulations in Southern California. This would be possible through an updated and improved MS4 permit – the single most important regulation impacting local water quality.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) are publicly-owned conveyances such as roads, catch basins, and storm drains that collect stormwater and prevent flooding. MS4 permits require storm drain system operators (cities and counties) to monitor, report, and restrict how much pollution enters local waterways and waterbodies through stormwater runoff. In Orange County, this directly impacts how much pollution is flushed into the Pacific Ocean.
For over a year and a half, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has been developing an updated regional MS4 permit that would regulate water pollution throughout the entire Santa Ana River Watershed, including sections of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Our team sees numerous inadequacies with the current draft permit, including non-compliance with local water quality standards, the lack of a monitoring plan, and the unenforceability of the permit.
We have continuously voiced our concerns directly to the Regional Board staff, who are writing the permit, in numerous private and public venues. In the latter half of 2024, we participated in several meetings hosted by the Region 8 Water Board for stakeholders, permittees (cities and counties), and co-permittees (local industry). Unfortunately, our issues were not discussed in these conversations.
To ensure our concerns are addressed and our waters are protected, we are hosting our own MS4 meeting between us, the Region 8 Water Board, and representatives from Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Our water quality experts, environmental lawyers, and community advocates will set the agenda to guarantee nothing is missed. The meeting is tentatively set for early March.
Regardless of the outcome of our next meeting, we are committed to seeing the MS4 permit strengthen local water protections, not weaken them.
