Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs): Five Traps To Avoid

Learn how to identify and handle the more difficult aspects of storm water permitting and SWPPP development.

In 1972, Congress enacted the Clean Water Act, which prohibits industries and other "point sources" from discharging pollutants into surface waters unless they obtain NPDES permits and comply with their provisions. Although in 1972 storm water was not regulated-it was considered the quintessential nonpoint source-by 1990 the act had been amended and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was imposing permitting requirements on discharges of storm water.

In 1972, Congress required NPDES permits to include specific numeric limits. But in 1990 EPA concluded that storm water was not susceptible to numeric limits, and required instead that storm water dischargers develop storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and implement best management practices (BMPs). Because SWPPPs must comply with so many requirements, it is easy for those who prepare SWPPPs to pay insufficient attention to some of the more difficult issues. This topic focuses on those issues.

Learning Objectives

• You will be able to identify and resolve difficult problems that tend to arise in SWPPPs.
• You will be able to recognize NPDES permitting requirements.
• You will be able to discuss how to avoid the threat of penalties for noncompliance.
• You will be able to explain best practices for SWPPP preparation.