Stormwater Consulting

Summary

The 2003 "Phase II" NPDES stormwater discharge regulations expanded the regulatory community to include controls at all construction sites exceeding 1 acre as well as all public entities local within the "Urbanized" areas with populations above 100,000.

An urbanized area (UA) is a land area comprising one or more places - central place(s) - and the adjacent densely settled surrounding area - urban fringe - that together have a residential population of at least 50,000 and an overall population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile. It is a calculation used by the Bureau of the Census to determine the geographic boundaries of the most heavily developed and dense urban areas.

Polluted storm water runoff is often transported to municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and ultimately discharged into local rivers and streams without treatment. EPA's Stormwater Phase II Rule establishes an MS4 stormwater management program that is intended to improve the Nation's waterways by reducing the quantity of pollutants that stormwater picks up and carries into storm sewer systems during storm events. Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles. When deposited into nearby waterways through MS4 discharges, these pollutants can impair the waterways, thereby discouraging recreational use of the resource, contaminating drinking water supplies, and interfering with the habitat for fish, other aquatic organisms, and wildlife.

The Phase II regulations have been expanded to include public schools, universities, and other governmental campuses. The cleanWATER group consists of trained and certified stormwater professionals prepared to assist in all aspects associated with these regulation including preparation of discharge permit applications, progress report submissions, management plan development, illicit discharge investigations, mapping of storm sewer systems, stormwater awareness or function specific training, as well as outfall location, identification, dry weather screening, inspection, testing, and labeling.

Service Options

Stormwater Program Plan Development

Municipalities and other public entities with Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4's) which service a population greater than 100,000 are required to obtain a permit to discharge stormwater throughout their jurisdiction. This permit requires the development of a "Stormwater Management Program Plan" (SWMP) based on six minimum management measures. These measures include development of a Public Education Program(PEP) designed to educate the public on hazards associated with illicit discharges, identification and reporting of illicit discharges, along with pollution prevention practices, waste disposal facilities, and recycling opportunities. The plan must also include provisions for Public Involvement & Participation (PIP), Illicit Discharge Elimination Programs (IDEP), Construction & Post-Construction stormwater management programs, along with pollution prevention and good housekeeping policies and procedures for employees.

cleanWATER professional staff have assisted a variety of public institutions with development and implementation of "SWMP's" and are actively involved with local watershed groups and organizations. This involvement benefits all cleanWATER clients through sharing of information, cooperation within the regulated community, and interaction with the regulatory agencies.

Permit Applications & Reporting

The Phase II program for MS4s is designed to accommodate a general permit approach using a Notice of Intent (NOI) as the permit application. The operator of a regulated small MS4 must include in its permit application, or NOI, a list of point source discharges, contact information, a map of the political territory including watershed boundaries, and payment of permit fees.

The initial NOI allows the permittee to obtain a certificate of coverage (COC) under the terms and conditions of the general permit. The COC outlines specific reporting requirements including an initial six month progress report and subsequent annual progress reports throughout the term of the COC.

Annual Stormwater Progress Reports are submitted to the MDEQ by the date specified in the COC and must include an assessment of activities, policies, and procedures outlined in the "Stormwater Management Program Plan" (SWMP) as well as an assessment of the local watersheds, changes to the storm sewer system, assessment of flood controls, and any changes to the SWMP.

cleanWATER professionals include both industrial and construction site storm water operators certified by the MDEQ. We can assist in preparation of required permit application documents and preparation of annual progress reports. These services are provided in conjunction with development of the "Stormwater Program Plan" and are designed specifically for your jurisdiction.

Illicit Discharge Investigations and Outfall Screening/Testing

The Phase II stormwater discharge regulations require developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm sewer system (includes developing a system map and informing the community about hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste).

An Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (IDEP) includes identification of all stormwater conveyances and structures within the jurisdiction, along with dry weather screening of all outfalls, testing of outfalls for pollutants, investigation of potential polluting sources, identification of "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) and development of operations and maintenance guidance documents for public employees.

cleanWATER professional staff has developed and implemented successful procedures and strategies for development and implementation of tasks required to complete all aspects of the IDEP.

Education & Training

cleanWATER professional staff in conjunction with local watershed groups and government agencies have developed a variety of general awareness training programs and educational materials. These programs and materials are an integral part of both Public Education Programs and Pollution Prevention & Good housekeeping Programs required as part of the "Stormwater Management Program Plan". cleanWATER staff will assist in development of "Stormwater" informational and educational websites as well as specific training sessions designed for your District. Stormwater education materials include brochures, posters, poster boards, commercials, and advertisements to aid in educating the "Public" in a wide variety topics associated with the local watersheds, pollution prevention, identification and reporting of illicit discharges in the community. Training programs include personal presentations, video presentations, and web based applications.