By federal mandate, The City of Newton is being required to apply for NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit coverage and implement stormwater discharge management controls by March 10, 2003. While this may not seem important to you now, you may change your mind once you find out what obtaining this permit means for the City of Newton and how implementing this program will definitely change the City’s approach to providing certain services. As owner and operator of a small MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system), the City of Newton is being required to develop, implement and enforce a stormwater management program. To accomplish this goal, the City must address six minimum control measures in their program. They include: Public Education and Outreach, Public Participation/Involvement, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Run-off Control and Post Construction Runoff Control. For detailed information regarding the six minimum measures click on the link entitled minimum control measures.