Post on 27-Jul-2015
Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference
May 14, 2015
avoiding stormwater pitfalls
Photo courtesy abc news
how do I avoid pitfalls?
• plan− understand what’s required (aka know the permit
requirements)
− be familiar with the discharge scenario
− know your effluent limits
− implement appropriate best management practices
consider green infrastructure
• inspect/sampling
• training
• document
• maintain
stormwater 101 – what’s required
• 40 CFR 122.21, duty to apply
• 40 CFR 122.26, discharges that require a NPDES permit
• associated with a permit issued prior to February 4, 1987
• industrial activity • large municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4)• medium MS4• discharges that contribute to a violation of the water
quality standards or is a significant contributor of pollutants to water of the US (e.g. small MS4)
industrial activity – types of facilities*40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)
− stormwater effluent limitation guidelines (ELG)
− standard industrial classification (SIC) codes (29 industry sectors)
− hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs)
− landfills, land application sites
− recycling facilities (e.g. metal scrapyards, battery reclaimers)
− steam electric power generating facilities
− transportation facilities
− domestic wastewater treatment facilities (>1MGD)
− construction sites*caveats related to mining and oil & gas facilities
pitfall
• ensure that your facility is correctly identified (SIC code) and make a determination prior to submitting a permit application
• identify all pertinent information on the permit application
• Example
petroleum pipeline stations vs. bulk terminals
122.26(a)(2)(ii) vs. SIC code 5171
permitting
• site specific permit
• general permit – state or EPA multi-sector general permit (MSGP)
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/stormwater/EPA-Multi-Sector-General-Permit-MSGP.cfm
permitting effluent limits
• conventional effluent limits – 40 CFR 122.44− technology vs. water quality based
• benchmark/best management practices – 40 CFR 122.44(k)− MSGP – industry sector specific benchmarks
− site specific benchmarks for site specific permits
alternatives to permitting
• Conditional no-exposure certification [40 CFR 122.26(g)]− renewed every 5 years
− issued on a facility-wide basis
− updated with changing site conditions
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/stormwater/Conditional-No-Exposure-Exclusion.cfm
• Ensure that the effluent limits are appropriate for the discharge scenario
• Example – pH (technology vs. water quality based)
6 – 9 vs. 6.5 - 9
pitfall
best management practices
Definition:
Structural and non-structural controls or measures used to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff
bmp performance – planning and design considerations
Three keys to bmp performance− concentration (includes benchmark discharge
goal)
benchmarks
•numeric criteria to assist with the assessment of bmp performance•assess compliance with water quality criteria
− volume
− total load (understand the pollutants)
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/stormwater/Three-Keys-to-BMP-Performance.cfm
stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP)
Structural BMP
• grit trap, tree trenches, porous pavers, rain garden, vegetated swale
Non-structural BMP
• street-sweeping• nutrient management plan• de-icing plan
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/industrial_swppp_guide.pdf
bmp – plan/implement/comply
bmp implementation/compliance
stormwater pollution prevention plan
• inspections− purpose
assess effectiveness
determine if maintenance is needed
− frequency
routine (quarterly, annual)
post-rainfall events
bmp implementation/compliance
stormwater pollution prevention plan
• inspections− documentation
inspection log
deficiencies
repairs/return to compliance
− follow-up and notification to the agencies of performance/repairs/non-compliance
bmp implementation/compliance
stormwater pollution prevention plan• sample collection/analytical parameters
− frequency (when to sample)
− containers, hold times, CoC, analytical method
− flow rate vs volume
• training− documentation
• procrastinate – wait until a crisis
• overcoming procrastination− plan
− budget
− track inspection deficiencies and return to compliance
− follow-up
− document
routine maintenance
avoiding pitfalls
• plan− understand the permit requirements
− be familiar with the discharge scenario
− know your effluent limits
− implement appropriate best management practices
consider green infrastructure
• inspect/sampling
• training
• document
• maintain