What Is A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) provides monitoring information and guidance for site-specific building and construction projects. At Klumm Bros. in Holland, Toledo, and Lucas County, OH, our experienced contractors use this guidance document to prevent or minimize pollution during construction activities. SWPPPs help ensure the construction site is kept orderly to avoid detrimental environmental impacts and water pollution, and they’re susceptible to changes depending on the project’s needs.
Continue reading to learn the answers to the question, "What is a SWPPP?"
Who Needs an SWPPP?
An SWPPP is required for facilities and sites seeking clearance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Clean Water Act of 1972 outlaws the discharging of contaminants into navigable waterways unless an NPDES permit is obtained.
The NPDES permit dictates strict limitations on what contaminants should be discharged, how these pollutants are reported and monitored, and ways to ensure that they don’t impact water quality.
What Should an SWPPP Include?
Having a detailed plan helps save finances and safeguard neighboring properties and groundwater. The SWPPP should include the following items:
- Site map and description
- Plans for updating your SWPPP
- Descriptions of activities that might cause pollution
- Procedures for monitoring and conducting inspections
- Best control and management measures for preventing pollution
Here are some elements to help you assemble your SWPPP accordingly:
Site Map & Description
A site map must be crafted and must contain at least the following items:
- Drainage patterns
- Areas of soil disturbance
- Surface waters and wetlands at the site
- The area of expected stabilization activities
- Estimated slopes after the main grading activities
- The highlight of all areas that aren’t to be disturbed
- Areas of all major structural and non-structural controls
- Areas where stormwater might discharge to the separate municipal storm sewer system (MS4).
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
The SWPPP must include detailed descriptions of all controls, with timelines, applicable BMPs, and the mitigation measures that can be implemented at the site for each construction stage regarded as major soil disturbing activity. The BMPs within the SWPPPs should include at least:
- All permanent or temporary stabilization practices like mulching, sodding, seeding, or application of geotextiles, etc.
- All permanent stormwater management practices, including retention or detention systems or vegetated swales installed during construction.
- All structural controls that will help divert stormwater flows from exposed soils, and structural measures to help limit stormwater runoff.
These measures include:
1. Gabions
2. Silt fences
3. Earth dikes
4. Subsurface
5. Check dams
6. Sediments traps
7. Level spreaders
8. Pipe slopes drain
9. Coagulating agents
10. Storm drain inlet protection
11. Subsurface drains swales
12. Reinforced soil retaining systems
13. Temporary or permanent sediments basins
Controls
The SWPPP should describe in detail controls for potential pollutants like:
- The application, generation, and storage of all toxic materials.
- Offsite vehicle tracking from construction area entrances/exits.
- Disposal processes for construction debris, litter, chemicals, and sanitary waste.
- The proper application rates of all pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides used at the construction site.
Connect With Us Today!
Our qualified contractors are well versed in the most recent local standards and regulations for the planning, construction, and inspection of stormwater best management practices. We understand how to review the project and assess the risks to implement the most functional and cost-effective BMPs. Let’s connect today if you have questions about our services. We look forward to hearing from you!
Categorised in: Commercial Waste Management