Public Works
Stormwater Management
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program
INDUSTRIAL SITES
Industrial Activity
Information
The
Clean Water Act (CWA), amended in 1972, provides that
discharging of pollutants into waters of the United States from
any point source is unlawful without a national Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. For a number
of reasons, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
and authorized NPDES states have failed to issue NPDES permits
for the majority of point source discharges of storm water. Recognizing this, Congress added section 402(p) to the CWA in
1987 to establish a comprehensive framework for addressing storm
water discharges associated with industrial activity.
Most storm water point source discharges related to industrial activities are required to obtain an NPDES permit. This may be accomplished by filling a Notice of Intent (NOI) for industrial activities. However, some facilities are eligible for the "no exposure" exemption. The "No Exposure Certification" form must be filed along with the NOI and USEPA. For more information on NPDES permits for industrial activities, to go http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/industrial1.htm.
Facilities subject to a point source discharge NPDES permit are also required to prepare a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). Existing environmental management plans must also be evaluated for consistency to determine which, if any, provisions can be incorporated into the SWP3.
Other related plans may include the Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan (40 CFR Parts 264 and 265), the Spill Control and Countermeasures Plan requirement (40 CFR Part 112), the national Pollutant discharge Elimination System Toxic Organic Management Plan (40 CFR Parts 413, 433, and 469) and the Occupational Safety and health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Response Plan (29 CFR Part 1910).
Because the conditions which affect the presence of pollutants in stormwater discharges vary among industries, today's permit contains industry-specific sections that describe the storm water pollution prevention plan requirements, the numeric effluent limitation requirements and the monitoring requirements for the industry.
