What is SWPPP?
SWPPP is a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. In most states, it must be developed prior to any ground breaking activity and is required for both development and residential construction stages.
Why is a SWPPP needed?
SWPPPs are often required for permitting and the NOI (notice of intent). Many organizations have applied for permits without a SWPPP under the notion that the few paragraphs under the “Erosion Plan” on the construction plans will suffice. When signing the Notice of Intent (NOI), one is acknowledging creation of a SWPPP in States that require one. SWPPPs contains information on, among other items, vegetation, hazardous materials, endangered species, Best Management Practices (BMP), historical data, intended sequence of events, spill prevention program and wetlands. The SWPPP shall be amended whenever there is change in design, construction, operation or maintenance which has a significant effect on the potential for discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the state or a MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). The SWPPPs are kept on the job site to be referenced and amended as needed by the storm water professional inspector associated with weekly inspections, classification changes, and rain events.
What is CESSWI?
CESSWI (Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector) is a recognized specialist in soil erosion and sediment control. CESSWIs have educational training, demonstrated expertise, experience in controlling erosion and sedimentation, and meet certification standards.
What does NOI stand for?
NOI stands for Notice of Intent. The Notice of Intent or NOI is the permit application required for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System or NPDES.
A few preventative and proactive steps go a long way in protecting our water and our clients. Generally, a NOI will suffice for the life of the project. If for example, a builder both develops land and constructs homes. It may be advisable for a builder/developer to create separate NOIs or Co-Permittee Agreements if, for example, they are only developing property or only constructing homes. Recall that the NOI usually requires that a SWPPP be created, a permit be filed and compliance with the permit be enacted (this includes inspections and use of Best Management Practices).
What does NOT stand for?
What are the risks involved with non-compliance?
What is NPDES?
NPDES stand for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. Over land or via storm sewer systems, polluted runoff is discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies. When left uncontrolled, this water pollution can result in the destruction of fish, wildlife, and aquatic life habitats; a loss in aesthetic value; and threats to public health due to contaminated food, drinking water supplies, and recreational waterways.
Mandated by Congress under the Clean Water Act, the NPDES Storm Water Program is a comprehensive two-phased national program for addressing the non-agricultural sources of storm water discharges which adversely affect the quality of our nation’s waters. The Program uses the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting mechanism to require the implementation of controls designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by storm water runoff into local water bodies.
Are inspections Required?
Depending on your state, inspections are usually required once every seven days and within twenty four hours of a rainfall greater than 0.5 inches in a twenty four hour period (blue sky to blue sky).
The inspection requires several points to be monitored, recorded and logged as well as attached to the SWPPP (where required).
A common error in inspections is leaving the work to non-certified or non-specialized entities that are not completely fulfilling all aspect of the inspections. This includes frequency, process, reporting and necessary follow-up.
With well over several dozen items that must be evaluated, inspections are a critical component to the builder, which places a greater need for the appropriate personnel to support such measures.
What are BMPs?
BMPs are Best Management Practices. They include schedule of activities, prohibition of practices, maintenance procedures and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to US waters. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures and practice to control plant site runoff, spillage, or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
BMPs are required to be identified in the SWPPP when your state requires a SWPPP. Examples include: Silt Fencing, Vegetative Strips, Hydro-seeding, Mulching, etc.
Where do we go from here? Stormwater Compliance
The days of indifference and lack of enforcement have come to an end. Most companies realize this when they find themselves in non-compliance. Others have “heard the news” and are actively working to create programs in alignment with current stormwater compliance regulations.
When considering the scope of the situation, we believe there is an opportunity to maximize effectiveness with minimal strain. The facets of the process include NOIs, SWPPPs, inspections, NOTs, BMPs, compliance, agency interaction, education, program audits, consultation and proper reporting just to name a few.
This is where Greater Bay Area Environmental brings value to our clients. As a single point of contact for the aforementioned issues, we become your partner in Erosion Control, Stormwater Management and Stormwater Compliance.