California’s State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted the latest version of the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (IGP) in April 2014. This update represents the first change to the CA IGP in nearly 20 years and it will become effective on July 1, 2015.
Several changes will be implemented when the new IGP becomes effective. Some major changes to the IGP include:
- Mandatory online reporting using the Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS)
- No “Wet” and “Dry” Weather designation
- Monthly (instead of quarterly) visual inspections for non-stormwater discharges; stormwater discharge inspections required to be conducted when samples collected
- Stormwater sampling increased to four times per year (two in the first half and two in the second half). Note: there is no minimum time period between sampling
- “Group Monitoring” changed to “Compliance Groups”; this provides a potential opportunity for sampling reduction
- Laboratory analytical results must now be compared to annual and instantaneous numeric action levels (NALs)
- Requires implementation of numerous “minimum best management practices (BMPs)” (e.g. preventative maintenance, housekeeping, training, etc) and “advanced BMPs” (e.g. discharge reduction, stormwater containment)
- Specific conductance removed from list of required monitoring parameters
- New Compliance Status structure (i.e. Baseline, Level 1 and Level 2) based on sampling results
- New required Exceedance Response Actions (ERAs) and technical reports
- New Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QISP) training requirements, when applicable
- New compliance reduction options available: No Exposure Certification (NEC) and Notice of Non-Applicability (NONA)
New Fact Sheet
KJ has prepared a Fact Sheet for the new IGP. Download it for a full summary of the new IGP. Click 2014 ISP Fact Sheet to download.
The complete IGP can be found HERE. The SWRCB Stormwater Website lists additional appendices, historical docs, etc. located HERE. Industrial Permit FAQs can be found HERE.
If you have questions, need advice, or a P.E. to assist in your industrial stormwater challenges, KJ staff have developed proven solutions at numerous industrial facilities and can help with developing the required plans, pollutant source identification & control, and most importantly, developing a strategy for how to comply with the IGP and prepare for future regulatory developments. We have a long list of references.
If you are interested in more information on Kennedy Jenks, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog!
