What is Stormwater Discharge?
Stormwater discharge refers to the runoff water that results from precipitation or excess water such as melting snow, which ends up in storm drains or natural bodies of water such as rivers, ponds and lakes.
Stormwater discharge can carry a variety of pollutants which can negatively impact not just the water quality, but also aquatic life. These include:
- Sediment
- Oil
- Grease
- Heavy metals
- Nutrients from fertilizers or animal waste
Many urban areas have stormwater management systems in place, such as stormwater detention ponds. This works by capturing and treating stormwater before it is discharged into nearby water bodies.
Does your business need a Stormwater Discharge Permit?
- Does your facility expose industrial activity to storm water?
- Is the primary activity at your facility or SIC code covered by the General Permit?
GENERAL PERMIT – Authorization to discharge storm water associated with industrial activity under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES for Georgia).
Any facility conducting industrial activities with the potential to contact storm water requires an NPDES storm water discharge permit. A Notice of Intent (NOI) is an application to be covered under the Industrial General Permit.
If a discharge permit is required, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be prepared and updated every five years or following any material changes to your facility or operations that may affect storm water.
If your facility does not have any industrial activities with the potential to come in contact with storm water, then a No Exposure Exclusion (NEE) is an option.
Coverage under the General Permit has quarterly and annual reporting requirements through your state regulatory agency (GEOS in Georgia) and likely NetDMR
- GEOS – is Georgia’s EPD Online System – A Georgia online portal for online permit applications and each state has a registration process for this reporting.
- NetDMR is a web-based application that allows NPDES Permittee Users to enter and electronically submit Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) information.
Your state’s regulatory authority can visit your facility anytime to review your SWPPP and your required facility storm water inspection and monitoring documents.
All facilities covered under the General Permit are required to submit a new NOI and update the facility SWPPP effective June 1, 2022.
What is a Spill Prevention Plan?
A spill prevention plan outlines procedures and best practices to both prevent and respond to accidental spills of hazardous substances or materials that could potentially harm the environment or public health. This plan will typically include information on the types of materials that are regularly stored or used at a facility, as well as potential spill scenarios, emergency response procedures, and training requirements for employees.
The main goal of a spill prevention plan is to minimize the risk of spills and provide a systematic approach to responding quickly and effectively in the event of a spill happening in the area. This helps to not only protect the environment and ensure the safety of employees and the public, but it also helps to prevent property damage. The contents of the plan may vary depending on the type of facility and the potential risks associated with its operations.
Does your business need a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan?
- Does your facility have a total aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320-gallons?
- Does your facility have an underground oil storage capacity greater than 42,000-gallons?
An SPCC Plan is required if you answered yes to the above.
The purpose of the SPCC rule is to help facilities prevent a discharge of oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. Oil of any type and in any form is covered by the SPCC Rule.
OIL – Petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil; fats, oils or greases of animal, fish, or marine mammal origin; vegetable oils, including oil from seeds, nuts, fruits, or kernels; and other oils and greases including synthetic oils and mineral oils.
Why choose Mill Creek Environmental for your Stormwater Discharge and Spill Prevention Plans?
Here at Mill Creek Environmental we offer a team of seasoned environmental consultants with in-depth knowledge of many environmental services such as these. You can contact our experts today to find out more and also take advantage of our free consultations.
We make it a priority to help clients become more knowledgeable and avoid unnecessary cost or possible violations. Our environmental consultants help guide our clients to the most sensible and economical resolutions.
