Developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

There’s nothing quite like a summer storm. These sudden torrential downpours make for a cozy day in the house – but they can also contribute to polluted waterways. Left untreated, stormwater can gather excess debris and pollutants before flowing directly to a larger body of water. Fortunately, a stormwater pollution prevention plan, or SWPPP, can go a long way toward mitigating the negative impact of stormwater. Read on to find out more about developing an effective SWPPP for your site.

Developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

What Is Stormwater Pollution?

Stormwater pollution results from contaminated stormwater runoff that enters larger bodies of water. While stormwater itself isn’t technically a pollutant, the water tends to gather harmful materials as it flows through streets, gutters, parking lots, and industrial sites. Think of it this way: When the ground is covered by a hard surface – a parking lot, for example – the underlying ground is unable to absorb the water. Thus, the water is left to flow, picking up everything from trash, pet waste, and debris to fertilizers and other industrial chemicals. The water is then left untreated as it flows over hard surfaces and directly into nearby rivers or lakes. As more and more polluted stormwater flows into a waterway, that waterway becomes woefully contaminated. Fortunately, construction site operators can play an active role in managing stormwater pollution.

What Is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan?

So, how do construction site operators help mitigate stormwater pollution? The answer comes via a stormwater pollution prevention plan, or SWPPP. The average SWPPP outlines all of the ways a construction site operator will minimize stormwater contamination and erosion in compliance with the Clean Water Act. A SWPPP must also note any potential sources of stormwater pollution at the construction site itself. That includes construction materials, sediment from dirt or dust, and any industrial chemicals used near the site. Ultimately, a SWPPP is both a plan and a promise to help mitigate the effects of stormwater pollution.

Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

Construction site operators can look to a number of resources when developing their SWPPP. The Clean Water Act employs the term Best Management Practices, or BMPs, to describe the ideal tactics to prevent stormwater pollution. BMPs can be divided into two categories:

• Structural BMPs: Structural BMPs include any physical measures to prevent erosion and manage stormwater pollution. Those include ponds, silt fences, erosion control blankets, and seeding – essentially, anything to help absorb stormwater before it picks up harmful debris and chemicals.
• Non-structural BMPs: Where structural BMPs incorporate preventative structures, non-structural BMPs are based on habits. These habits – regularly picking up trash and debris, for example – go a long way toward preventing stormwater pollution from a construction site.

Complying with Stormwater Legislation

As mentioned above, all SWPPP planning must be in compliance with the Clean Water Act. Construction site operators should also note any associated federal and state regulations – for example, the need for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Most states are currently authorized to implement the NPDES program; with that, many states are able to issue their own permits for stormwater discharges associated with construction sites. Construction site operators should first look to their local municipal authority for guidance in developing SWPPPs. From there, state authorities are an excellent resource.

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Stormwater pollution can be serious, but it is far from inevitable. With proper planning and mitigation in place, construction site operators can prevent this kind of pollution from invading waterways.

Do you need help developing a stormwater pollution prevention plan? When you’re ready, you can contact EWI online or call 877-827-9500 for more information. We have in-house experts ready to help walk you through the specifics of your organization’s planning needs. Our team can work with you to ensure ongoing environmental responsibility and compliance, particularly as it pertains to stormwater pollution.