Plymouth Engineer details Stormwater Management progress in Annual MS4 Report

Plymouth City Engineer Dan Sellers recently provided the Board of Public Works and Safety with a comprehensive update on the city’s Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) 2025 annual report, highlighting increased public outreach, updated ordinances, and ongoing infrastructure maintenance requested by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

To meet IDEM's requirements, the city has significantly ramped up its public participation efforts. Sellers noted that the city has been utilizing its Facebook page to share periodic posts about stormwater management best practices.

"The intention is to present information for better public awareness of the effects that stormwater runoff has on the environment," Sellers explained to the board.

In addition to social media outreach, the city's website has been updated to include more information regarding stormwater management practices, and officials participated in last year's 4-H Fair to engage directly with the community. Sellers credited River Watson and Ken Vores for spearheading these outreach initiatives.

IDEM also required the city to update its stormwater ordinance and technical standards, a task completed in the summer of 2025. These updates integrate stormwater quality measures into project designs and strengthen enforcement procedures for non-compliant sites. Sellers reported that out of 15 ongoing construction projects in the city, officials received two complaints and issued four written requests for remedial action, warning that fines would be levied if the issues were not addressed.

Addressing the city's illicit discharge detection and elimination program, Sellers reported a successful period of monitoring.

"We have one spill reported and resolved, inspected 48 stormwater outfalls to the Yellow River, and updated the Stormwater Conveyance Map in May last year with the help of Chris Marshall," Sellers stated.

On the operational side, the Utility Department has been busy with "good housekeeping" measures to keep the city's water systems flowing properly. Crews repaired three outfalls and cleaned 1,249 lineal feet of storm lines, removing approximately three-quarters of a ton of debris. Furthermore, the department videotaped 5,270 feet—roughly one mile—of underground piping to assess its condition and plan for future maintenance.