Many contractors and other construction professionals who are involved in stormwater pollution prevention won't be full-time experts in this industry, and will need some guidance from those who are in certain areas. A great example here is the formulation of a stormwater pollution prevention plan, abbreviated SWPPP in the industry.
At Silver Leaf SWPPP, we're proud to offer a wide range of SWPPP services to clients around Utah, including SWPPP inspections, risk management and more. We know many of our clients are not experts in this industry, and in fact many will be relatively new to it when they call on us for our services. This two-part blog series will take a comprehensive look at the important tenets of SWPPP, from why it's important and how it's governed to some basic elements that SWPPPs must contain and more.
First and foremost, some who are completely new to the SWPPP world will wonder why these programs even matter. After all, most construction projects happen in rural or semi-rural areas and don't pose a direct threat to the environment.
But that's not always true — some construction projects are located in sensitive environments where even small amounts of pollution can cause serious issues. Stormwater that flows through a jobsite can create several issues, most notably the pickup of various contaminants like oil and grease from vehicles, as well as sediment from the construction process. The runoff might also pick up whatever chemicals are used on the site. In many cases, the runoff won't be treated before it reaches its destination — which could be a nearby body of water like a stream or lake, or even a municipal stormwater system.
Not only is preventing these issues vital for the environment, it's a legal requirement for many projects. So, understanding SWPPP is essential for successful construction projects - not only for removing contaminants, but also for needs like reducing flooding, curbing erosion and more.
Within any construction site that's disturbing at least one acre of land, a permit will be required - not just for any activities involving stormwater specifically, but for any construction activities whatsoever. This requirement is set at the federal level by the EPA, but it's important to note that the EPA itself is not in charge of maintaining and issuing these permits - rather, this will be done by states and even by local municipalities.
It's important to note that guidelines will vary by region, and that different states may have different rules. It's essential to be familiar with these regulations before beginning any construction project - failure to properly comply could bring hefty fines and other penalties as determined by the permitting authority.
It's also vital to be aware that even within a given state, it's possible for local municipalities like cities and counties to impose stricter rules on a given site. This is why it's essential to be aware of all local permit requirements, as well as any state or federal regulations that may apply depending on the type of construction project.
In most states, the simple way of initiating the process of obtaining a permit involves submitting a 'Notice of Intent' document to the permitting authority. This document is essentially a statement of intent to comply with all applicable permit regulations, and will include information such as the project name, location, type of work being done, how long it's expected to take and more.
This document can be filled out in two ways, either physically or electronically - some states prefer physical copies while others allow electronic documents. It's important to be aware of the rules for any given state before submitting a Notice of Intent, as failure to do so may delay or impede the entire permitting process.
Maintaining a permit involves the consistent presence and upkeep of the SWPPP itself. This document is regularly updated as conditions change on the site. While there are many elements that may be included depending on the site specifics, here are some of the typical required features:
As you can see, there's a lot of information to be accounted for in the SWPPP, and this is just scratching the surface. For any contractor or other construction professional looking to remain compliant with all applicable stormwater regulations and permit requirements, it's important to be aware of what needs to be included in an SWPPP before any work can begin.
And at Silver Leaf SWPPP, we provide comprehensive guidance and assistance to ensure that all of your Utah stormwater permitting needs are met. Our team of experienced professionals can help guide you through the process, ensuring that your SWPPP is in compliance with all applicable regulations while helping you avoid costly fines or other penalties. Contact us today if you need any help with preparing a compliant SWPPP.
