Lehighton continues in its quest to educate its residents on the impact of stormwater.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett led discussion on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System at Monday's borough council meeting.Beckett said the borough is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System community andmust meet the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection general permit.In the borough, the system is designed to collect and carry stormwater using municipal-owned drainage systems, street catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, channels and specialized storm drains.The Separate Storm Sewer System isn't connected to the Central Carbon Wastewater Treatment Plant, which means the stormwater is not treated before it discharges into the Lehigh River and Mahoning Creek.As an MS4 permit holder, Beckett said the borough is required to develop a public education and outreach program on stormwater impacts.She said the borough is required to publish educational material, which can be found on the borough's website,

www.lehightonborough.com, in borough hall, and in its biannual newsletter along with future utility mailings.Beckett said the borough is in the process of implementing a public education and outreach program, along with the public involvement and participation program.The programs will allow for the public to participate in the decision-making processes with development, implementation and update of programs related to the MS4 permit, while working on developing an active outreach program to educate the public.She said that in the past three years, the borough is working toward meeting the requirements of the permit, and added that it's "crucial" to educate residents on the impact of stormwater."We are seeking public input in the decision-making processes with development, implementation and update to our MS4 program," Beckett said. "The public needs to be informed and educated on illicit discharges which make their way into the stormwater system."She said illicit discharges include paint, oil, car wash wastewater and illegally connected sanitary wastewater.Beckett said any illegal discharges should be reported to the borough secretary."We are working with our GIS coordinator on the mapping of the storm sewer system as required," she said. "There are many components to the requirements of the MS4 permit, and we are actively moving forward to meet them."