Who is covered by the SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) Rule?

Activities, such as material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, industrial processing or other operations that occur at industrial facilities are often exposed to stormwater. The runoff from these areas may discharge pollutants directly into nearby waterbodies or indirectly via storm sewer systems, thereby degrading water quality.

In 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed permitting regulations under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to control stormwater discharges associated with eleven categories of industrial activity.

The Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for Stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity regulates discharges of stormwater from 29 different industrial sectors. The sectors are based on the definition of "stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity" found at 40 CFR 122.26 (b)(14)(i)-(ix), (xi). Most sectors are based on a facility’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code.

What kinds of facilities are covered?

• Motor freight transportation facilities (SIC 4212-4231
• Passenger transportation facilities (SIC 4111-4173)
• Petroleum bulk oil stations and terminals (SIC 5171)
• Rail transportation facilities (SIC 4011, 4013)

What kinds of activities are covered?

• Vehicle and equipment fluid changes
• Mechanical repairs
• Parts cleaning
• Painting and/or fueling
• Storage of vehicles and equipment waiting for repair or maintenance
• Storage of the related materials and waste materials, such as oil, fuel, batteries, tires, or oil filters

What does an industrial stormwater permit require?

Common requirements for coverage under an industrial stormwater permit include development of a written stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), implementation of control measures, and submittal of a request for permit coverage, usually referred to as the Notice of Intent or NOI. The SWPPP is a written assessment of potential sources of pollutants in stormwater runoff and control measures that will be implemented at your facility to minimize the discharge of these pollutants in runoff from the site. These control measures include site-specific best management practices (BMPs), maintenance plans, inspections, employee training, and reporting. The procedures detailed in the SWPPP must be implemented by the facility and updated as necessary, with a copy of the SWPPP kept on-site. The industrial stormwater permit also requires collection of visual, analytical, and/or compliance monitoring data to determine the effectiveness of implemented BMPs

Please contact us to discuss any of the above plans in more detail, assistance determining if a plan is necessary, or a proposal for your needs.