Morrison, Rob, Barr Engineering, Avoiding Stormwater Pitfalls, 2015 MECC Kansas City

Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference

May 14, 2015

avoiding stormwater pitfalls

Photo courtesy abc news

stormwater – sweet dreams or …..

…a nightmare

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

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)

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

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

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




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

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




• 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

best management practices

Definition:

Structural and non-structural controls or measures used to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff

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



stormwater master planning

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/industrial_swppp_guide.pdf

bmp – plan/implement/comply



bmp implementation/compliance

stormwater pollution prevention plan

• inspections− purpose

assess effectiveness

determine if maintenance is needed

− frequency

routine (quarterly, annual)

post-rainfall events


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


stormwater pollution prevention plan• sample collection/analytical parameters

− frequency (when to sample)

− containers, hold times, CoC, analytical method

− flow rate vs volume

• training− documentation

pitfall - maintenance

Photo courtesy Phil Walsack, MPUA

• procrastinate – wait until a crisis

• overcoming procrastination− plan

− budget

− track inspection deficiencies and return to compliance

− follow-up

− document

routine maintenance

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

Questions, Thanks & Contact Info

Rob Morrison, P.E.Barr Engineering Co.

1001 Diamond Ridge, Suite 1100Jefferson City, MO

[email protected]

May 13, 2015