FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS       

 

CONSTRUCTION
• A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is a fundamental requirement of stormwater permits. A SWPPP identifies all potential sources of pollution which may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of stormwater discharges from the construction site describes practices to be used to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges from the construction site, and helps assure compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit (when the plan is designed for the individual site and is fully implemented)

INDUSTRIAL
• The SWPPP is a site-specific written document that should identify industrial operations and should identify pollution control practices that the site-specific industrial facility is implementing to prevent and minimize pollutants from reaching the stormwater runoff. The SWPPP is required by Stormwater Permits pursuant to local permitting authority’s adopted NPDES program (authorized by Clean Water Act). Thus, the SWPPP is required under California’s Industrial General Permit pursuant to California’s NPDES program. Among other things, the SWPPP requires BMPs (Best Management Practices) to prevent or minimize stormwater pollution.

CONSTRUCTION
• Construction projects that disturb one or more acres of soil or whose projects disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ. Construction activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading, and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling, or excavation, but does not include regular maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility The Construction General Permit requires the development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP should contain a site map(s) which shows the construction site perimeter, existing and proposed buildings, lots, roadways, stormwater collection and discharge points, general topography both before and after construction and drainage patterns across the project. The SWPPP must list Best Management Practices (BMPs) the discharger will use to protect stormwater runoff and the placement of those BMPs. Additionally, the SWPPP must contain a visual monitoring program; a chemical monitoring program for "non-visible" pollutants to be implemented if there is a failure of BMPs; and a sediment monitoring plan if the site discharges directly to a water body listed on the 303(d) list for sediment.  Section A of the Construction General Permit describes the elements that must be contained in a SWPPP.

INDUSTRIAL
• If your business is defined as Industrial (see Attachment A - California's Industrial General Permit) and your facility operations contribute to stormwater runoff, you may be required to apply for California’s Industrial General Permit pursuant to the EPA’s NPDES (authorized by the CWA of 1972). Among other things, a SWPPP is required for an Industrial General Permit to discharge stormwater. If your facility operation has no exposure to stormwater, you should apply for NEC General Permit coverage, which does not require a SWPPP.