​A quality education program is always the "first line of attack" when working to improve stormwater quality. An informed and knowledgeable community is vital to the success of any stormwater management program. Activities under MCM I address these concerns by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) that support a variety of educational opportunities.

MCM I is designed to assist the MS4 in developing a program to educate the public as well as in house staff on the impact of storm water and measures that can be implemented to improve the quality and reduce the quantity of discharge. By distributing educational materials to the community and employees, greater support will develop as the community begins to understand the necessity of the city's permit requirements. Education leads to greater compliance. As an individual begins to understand his or her responsibility and that of the community in the overall effectiveness of the program, they begin to make modifications in their behavior. The cumulative effect that these changes in behavior have on storm water quality is the ultimate goal of outreach and education.

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An effective outreach program should engage people of all ages, race, background, income and education levels. Permittees are encouraged to utilize partnerships with other governmental entities and seek assistance from non-governmental organizations to fulfill this minimum control measure. The program should strive to make materials and activities relevant to local situations and issues by incorporating a variety of strategies ensuring maximum coverage. It should address the viewpoints and concerns of a variety of audiences, including minority and disadvantaged communities, multiple languages, people with disabilities and target audiences such as commercial, industrial and institutional entities. And most importantly, it should support behavior modifications that all individuals are capable of making in their daily lives to help reduce negative impacts on water quality.