What is a SWPPP & When is it Required? 

A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) is developed to guide a facility’s efforts to reduce the amount of pollutants in stormwater and runoff. In 1972, amendments to the Clean Water Act made it a requirement for many industrial plants and commercial facilities to develop a SWPPP during construction activities, meaning you may need to develop one for your property.

In the following blog, we will discuss SWPPP requirements, benefits and challenges, along with how a stormwater management company like AQUALIS can help you create a stormwater pollution prevention plan of your own.

How the EPA Regulates Water Pollution and Stormwater Runoff

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates water pollution and stormwater runoff from industrial, commercial and municipal sources. Their regulations are passed down through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, which state and local governments enforce on a micro level. 

Government compliance is not the only important aspect of developing a SWPPP, meaning you can derive a series of environmental and financial benefits from having a quality plan in place. Good water quality benefits all of us, and a strong SWPPP plan will help your organization do its part.

What is a SWPPP?

A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) describes courses of action to help a facility, commercial property or municipality avoid stormwater and runoff pollution during land disturbing activities. A SWPPP should always be kept on-site and readily available for employees. 

SWPPPs are not set in stone. You should frequently update your plan to reflect your site’s conditions, accommodating anything that might compromise the cleanliness of stormwater and runoff near the area. Your facility must follow all practices listed in its SWPPP, or else it may face regulatory penalties.

Why Do You Need a SWPPP?

SWPPPs are valuable regulatory and environmental guides. A well-drafted SWPPP will help your facility avoid steep fines and penalties, all while reducing pollutants’ effects on the environment. SWPPPs aren’t just essential for your facility, they’re essential for everyone who lives, works and plays near it.

Regulated entities typically require a SWPPP. If you’re unsure whether your site is a regulated entity, take the following steps:

• Cross-reference your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code with local, state and federal requirements.
• If your SIC code identifies you as a regulated entity, you must acquire an NPDES permit. 
• Nearly every NPDES permit lists a SWPPP as a top-priority action item. 

With the right plan in place, you’ll do your part to keep community lakes, rivers and watersheds safe.

When is a SWPPP Required?

We briefly touched on when and why you need a SWPPP plan, but it’s time to lay out some specifics. There are three main reasons you would need to develop a SWPPP: land disturbance, industrial activities and municipal stormwater permits. If your facility falls under one of these categories, AQUALIS can help you create a stormwater pollution prevention plan that satisfies regulatory requirements, protects your profits and benefits the surrounding environment.

Land Disturbance

Construction that disturbs one or more acres of land is required to be supplemented with a SWPPP. The EPA also states that construction disturbing less than one acre still requires a SWPPP if it is part of a larger development or sale. 

The term “construction” covers a lot of ground. Affected activities include clearing, grading and excavating of all kinds, most commonly relating to the construction of roads, subdivisions and parking lots. 

Industrial Activities

An industrial facility may be required to implement a SWPPP, depending on its SIC code. The industry is a commonly identified source of water pollution, which is why the EPA and local organizations have taken steps to improve industrial facilities’ stormwater management systems. Like “construction,” the term “industry” is wide-spanning, referring to operations like mining, manufacturing, waste disposal and energy. 

An industrial SWPPP plan might include measures to limit how much rainwater and snow interact with a facility’s activities, along with practices and equipment that prevent pollutants from entering stormwater systems. 

Municipal Stormwater Permits

SWPPPs are also required for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), which are stormwater transportation systems owned by a state, city or town.

These systems move runoff and stormwater from a municipality into major United States waterways. MS4s are highly important to national health, with their cleanliness affecting millions of humans and animals throughout the United States. 

SWPPPs play a central role in reducing pollutants throughout these systems. A well-constructed stormwater management plan will maintain high water quality and keep the U.S. beautiful.

What Should a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Include?

SWPPP requirements vary by industry and site. But generally, each SWPPP should include a site map and description, best management practices (BMPs), controls, maintenance guidelines and a list of responsibilities. The importance of creating a thorough, clear SWPPP cannot be understated.

A quality plan will protect your finances, align you with government regulations and protect the surrounding environment. Let’s take a closer look at the essentials of a good stormwater pollution prevention plan. 

Site Map & Description

An accurate map of your site’s drainage patterns, wetlands, areas of concern and slopes is a must-have for every SWPPP. But these aren’t the only items that need to be accounted for. Other inclusions are as follows: 

• Locations that should not be disturbed.
• Locations of all on-site controls.
• Locations where stormwater and runoff might enter a waterway or MS4.

Every site has unique challenges that must be addressed in a SWPPP. AQUALIS’ sustainable water engineering experts can help you identify areas of concern and create the right plan for your property.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Best management practices (BMPs) include thorough descriptions and timelines of all safety measures and controls intended to reduce stormwater and runoff pollution. If your site is under construction, practices must be updated for each construction phase. 

Noteworthy practices include, but are not limited to:

• Temporary and permanent stormwater management controls.
• Controls intended to divert stormwater flow, such as dikes, drain inlets and sediment traps.
• Seeding and mulching and other alterations to the surrounding soil.

Controls

A SWPPP should outline a facility’s plans to control incoming and outgoing pollutants. Notable processes include:

• Storage and disposal of hazardous substances.
• Application rates of herbicides and pesticides.
• Disposal of debris, litter and other waste.
• On-site and off-site vehicle routes.

Maintenance & Inspections

Every stormwater control measure in a SWPPP needs to be supplemented with a maintenance schedule and plan. Many states and cities require maintenance to be performed at noted intervals, especially after heavy precipitation. 

Responsibilities

Responsible on-site parties must be named in a SWPPP, meaning that each measure must be paired with a contractor or subcontractor who will implement and comply with the listed items. Each contractor will be required to certify their compliance with the SWPPP and state/local laws.

Understanding the Difference Between SWPPP and SWMP

SWPPP, or a stormwater pollution prevention plan, can often be confused with a SWMP, or stormwater management plan but they are different documents. While SWPPP most often relates to construction sites, SWMPs are documents applicable to post construction sites.

SWMPs can be created from the original SWPPP on a site but they outline long term management of the stormwater system including expected lifespan of assets and frequency of maintenance. SWMPs may also be called operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals.

How AQUALIS Can Help Make Stormwater Compliance Easier

SWPPPs are complicated, but they are essential for protecting America’s waterways, and therefore its people. But safer practices don’t have to come at a higher cost—AQUALIS’ SWPPP and stormwater quality experts can help you create a plan that maximizes safety, ensures government compliance and protects your finances. 

Contact us today to learn how an AQUALIS stormwater pollution prevention plan can help you. It is important to note that while we can help you create or inspect a SWPPP, it is up to you and your contractors to successfully implement the plan.