A SWPPP, or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, is a document that outlines in narrative form how a construction project will minimize stormwater pollution. It includes site-specific and state required details, control measures for erosion and sediment control, and best practice principles such as spill prevention methods and contingencies and Good Housekeeping practices.

You need a SWPPP to comply with federal regulations under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Additionally, each state also issues its own version of the Construction General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (CGP). The CWA and CGP require all construction sites disturbing one acre or more of land to put together a SWPPP narrative and obtain a version of permit coverage from the state the site is located in.

A SWPPP includes site descriptions, potential pollutant sources and activities, best management practices (BMPs), inspection schedules, and stormwater monitoring details specific to the construction site or industrial facility.

BMPs are practices, techniques, or structures designed to prevent or reduce stormwater pollution. Examples include silt fences, sediment basins, wattles, and stabilized construction entrances.

For most states, inspections are typically required once every seven to fourteen days and within 24 hours of a significant rainfall event of 0.5 inches or more. Inspection frequency will differ between state policies.

The project owner or primary operator (often the general contractor) are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the SWPPP, but they may delegate this task to a qualified professional. A Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control is the only certification recognized by the EPA as being a qualified preparer of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

A SWPPP is valid as long as the project is active and covered under the NPDES permit. It must be updated to reflect any changes in site conditions or operations as they occur. NPDES permits are typically issued and billed in annual cycles.

Often a civil engineer will prepare a drawing sheet within the civil package depicting where to place BMPs such as silt fence, wattles, or inlet protection barriers. This civil sheet is considered the Erosion Control Plan, though often it is mislabeled as a SWPPP. A SWPPP is a comprehensive packet that includes the controls listed on the Erosion Control plan and describes the controls, contingencies, and housekeeping practices the site will employ in narrative form as required by the Clean Water Act and associated State Construction General Permit.

SWPPP submittal depends on the local, governing municipality. Some regulatory authorities may require approval of the SWPPP before allowing a construction project to mobilize. The NPDES permit application is applied for through the associated state’s environmental regulatory office and often requires certification that a SWPPP is in place.

While templates can help, each SWPPP must be site-specific and tailored to the unique conditions of your project. Talk to a professional today to make sure you are covered!

Common violations include an inadequate or missing SWPPP at the construction site or industrial facility, failure to implement and/or maintain BMPs, lack of regular site inspections, and unauthorized discharges of stormwater. Penalties for SWPPP violations can include: Fines: Up to $25,000 per day, per violation under the Clean Water Act, plus additional state/local fines. Criminal Charges: For willful violations, fines up to $50,000 per day and up to 3 years of imprisonment. Stop-Work Orders: Regulatory agencies may halt construction until compliance is achieved. Increased Costs: Violations may lead to stricter monitoring, reporting, and additional stormwater controls, increasing project expenses.

You can obtain an NPDES permit by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) to your state’s environmental agency or the EPA, depending on jurisdiction.

Construction sites require a SWPPP and permit if it disturbs one or more acres of land or if it's part of a larger common plan of development (often housing developments or retail centers). Industrial facilities operating under a SIC code governed by the Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activities also are required to create a SWPPP narrative and obtain permit coverage. Not sure if your site or facility needs a SWPPP and permit? Give us a call today at Eco Permit Pros to let an expert help! (Maybe a call link here?)

Any business or project that discharges pollutants, through stormwater conveyance, into U.S. waters may need an NPDES permit. Most permittees are operators of construction sites, industrial facilities, and municipalities.

A NPDES permit (often referred to as a Stormwater Permit) is a regulatory permit issued by the state environmental governing that allows the discharge of pollutants into water bodies under specific conditions.