Protecting your community’s waterways from pollution starts with knowing what’s in your stormwater. Whether you’re a municipality, environmental consultant, or public works team, our new Stormwater MS4 Testing Kit is your all-in-one, easy-to-use solution for identifying illicit discharges and maintaining compliance with EPA MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) regulations.
Why Stormwater Testing Matters More Than Ever
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) is critical part of any stormwater management program. Illicit discharges, such as sewage leaks, wash water, or industrial waste, can end up in storm drains and flow directly into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies without treatment. These pollutants not only harm ecosystems but can also lead to regulatory violations and public health risks.
That’s where our Stormwater MS4 Testing Kit comes in. Designed to make field testing straightforward and approachable, this kit empowers users of any level to start collecting actionable data. There’s no need for a background in water chemistry, just follow the easy step-by-step instructions, and you’re ready to monitor your stormwater system with confidence.
Easy to Use – No Experience? No Problem.
One of the most common concerns when it comes to stormwater testing is not knowing where to begin. The good news? You don’t need a background in water chemistry or technical skills to use the Stormwater MS4 Testing Kit. We designed this kit so anyone – from public works crew to municipal staff and volunteers – can confidently test for illicit discharges with simple, clear instructions and portable tools.
Each kit comes with everything you need to perform field tests quickly and accurately. Every test includes easy-to-follow directions and reduces the handling hazardous materials. In just a few minutes, you can begin gathering real, actionable data about what’s flowing into your storm drains.
Whether you stick with the standard kit or expand your testing capabilities, setup is simple, and support is always available.
Core Analytes (Included in Our Standard Kit)
Cited in IDDE guidelines, detergent detection is one of the most reliable signs of graywater or laundry waste discharges entering the system.
A strong indicator of sewage or industrial liquid waste. It’s simple to test and widely understood. Interfering ammonia can, however, come from non-human sources, like wildlife or pet waste.
While not always a standalone indicator, hardness is valuable in regions with naturally high mineral content (like limestone areas). It can support other test findings and flag unusual water chemistry.
A quick, easy test that gives an initial snapshot of whether water is outside the normal range. Shifts in pH can suggest chemical dumping or industrial waste discharges.
Measures the water’s ability to carry an electrical current, often indicating dissolved solids or salt contamination.
Getting started is truly as easy as opening the case. If you can follow a basic recipe, you can use this kit and start protecting your stormwater system from day one. These kits are completely customizable and designed to help you. If you do not need one of the included analytes, you can simply remove it from your kit or add any optional analytes.
Optional Analytes – Customize Your Kit
If your area has unique challenges or specific concerns, you can easily add any of the following analytes to your testing kit:
Useful in detecting treated tap water, swimming pool discharge, or industrial wastewater containing chlorine-based chemicals.
Color
A helpful visual indicator of unusual substances or contamination in stormwater.
An important heavy metal to test for, often linked to industrial discharge or corrosion from plumbing.
Dissolved Oxygen
Low oxygen levels can indicate organic pollution or stagnation; useful in assessing overall water quality.
Common in fertilizers and sewage; their presence can signal agricultural runoff or wastewater contamination.
Strong indicators of industrial or chemical discharges, especially from manufacturing operations.
Potassium
Often overlooked, potassium is a powerful tool for detecting both sewage and industrial wastewater. It’s especially useful as an early screening method.
Often found in detergents and fertilizers; elevated levels can indicate pollution from household or agriculture sources.
Turbidity
Measures the clarity of water. High turbidity can signal sediment runoff, erosion, or other contaminants.
A Kit Built for Action — No Lab Needed
Getting started with stormwater testing has never been easier, or more important. The Stormwater MS4 Testing Kit puts reliable, field-ready tools in your hands, helping you detect problems early, stay compliant, and protect your local waterways. Whether you’re building a new IDDE program or enhancing an existing one, this kit gives you the confidence to take action, no lab, no guesswork, just results.
