A presentation at the 2015 Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference, May 13-14, 2015, Overland Park, KS

1. Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference
May 14, 2015
avoiding stormwater pitfalls
Photo courtesy abc news

2. stormwater – sweet dreams or …..

3. …a nightmare

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. • 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

12. best management practices
Definition:
Structural and non-structural controls or measures used
to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff

13. 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

14. stormwater master planning

15. 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/indust
rial_swppp_guide.pdf
bmp – plan/implement/comply

16. bmp implementation/compliance
stormwater pollution prevention plan
• inspections
− purpose
 assess effectiveness
 determine if maintenance is needed
− frequency
 routine (quarterly, annual)
 post-rainfall events

17. 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

18. 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

19. pitfall - maintenance
Photo courtesy Phil Walsack, MPUA

20. • procrastinate – wait until a
crisis
• overcoming procrastination
− plan
− budget
− track inspection deficiencies
and return to compliance
− follow-up
− document
routine maintenance

21. 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

22. Questions, Thanks & Contact Info
Rob Morrison, P.E.
Barr Engineering Co.
1001 Diamond Ridge, Suite 1100
Jefferson City, MO
573-638-5025
rmorrison@barr.com
May 13, 2015