The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will issue a renewed Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit on Aug. 1 for the City of Columbia, Boone County and the University of Missouri, introducing new requirements aimed at reducing pollution from illegal dumping near waterways.

The five-year permit authorizes the co-permittees to discharge municipal stormwater while requiring them to manage and maintain their stormwater system in accordance with the Clean Water Act and state stormwater regulations. The renewed permit follows the expiration of the previous permit in June 2025.

As part of the renewal process, the permittees updated their joint stormwater management plan and modified local ordinances after the DNR received approximately 30 citizen complaints about pollutants entering waterways from illegal dumping at encampment sites within the regulated MS4 area.

The revised city and county ordinances now specifically identify "human waste or litter from encampment activities or other gatherings in close proximity to any waterway" as prohibited illegal dumping. State officials said the change will strengthen enforcement efforts and improve accountability for protecting water quality.

According to the DNR, the new policy approach will be incorporated into MS4 permits for regulated communities across Missouri moving forward. In addition to requiring permittees to detect and eliminate illicit discharges, the permit supports broader efforts to reduce pollutants in urban stormwater runoff through updated stormwater management practices and local enforcement measures.