Overview of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan - SWPPP

Businesses in specific industries must develop a- Determine storm water management opportunities
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Plan.- Conduct an inventory of the types of materials
A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan identifiesthat are handled, stored, or processed at thefacility
potential sources of pollution that may affect the- Provide a list of spills and leaks of toxic or
quality of storm water discharges from a facility.hazardous waste that have occurred at the facility
The plan is also intended to insure that the Bestwithin a 3 year period
Management Practices (BMP's) are included as part of- Test or evaluate non-storm water discharges that
the implementation process. By following theare discharged to a storm sewer, ditch, or stream.
guidelines of the BMP, companies are able to design- Collect or evaluate existing storm water sampling
and implement a SWPPP plan that is specific to theirdata
industry while reducing the amount of pollutants that- Summarize the findings of your assessment to help
flow into storm water.determine opportunities to address sources of storm
To protect the safety and integrity of these waterwater pollution.
resources, many businesses are required by the EPAPhase 3 - Best Management Practices Selection
to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge EliminationBest Management Practices guidelines typically include
System (NPDES) permit. In order to obtain an NPDESthe following:
permit, businesses must submit an EPA Notice of- Good housekeeping
Intent (NOI) form, which may require a sampling of- Preventive maintenance
the data from the storm water run off located in- Visual inspections
and around their facility. A local EPA Division of Water- Spill prevention and response
Pollution Control evaluates this data and makes- Sediment and erosion prevention
certain determinations.- Traditional storm water management practices
The five major steps in developing a SWPPP Plan- Employee training
include:Phase 4 - Implement the storm water BMPs
- Develop a training program for employees to teach
1. Planning and organizationthe components and goals of your SWPPP Plan and
2. Source assessmentthe Best Management Practices (BMPs)
3. BMP selectionPhase 5 - Evaluation of your SWPPP Plan
4. (SWPPP) Plan implementation- Conduct compliance evaluations of the SWPPP at
5. (SWPPP) Plan evaluationleast once a year
There are phases to the development of an- Revise the SWPPP Plan based on any major
effective Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. Themodification in design, construction, operation, or
phases can be described as:maintenance at the facility
Phase 1 - Planning and Organization- Maintain accurate records of spills, leaks, inspections,
- Form a team to develop, implement and maintainand maintenance activities
the (SWPPP)This is a simple overview of the Storm Water
- Review environmental management plans that arePollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements as
currently in place in order to use these plans as theset forth by the EPA. For more detailed requirements
framework for the individual (SWPPP) planfor a specific industry or state requirements, individual
Phase 2 - Source Assessmentcompanies should refer to the storm water permit
- Identify potential sources of pollutants to yourissued for a specific jurisdiction and industry. The local
storm water dischargesEPA Division of Water Pollution Control Permit Section
- Map your facility to locate pollutant sourcescan assist industries in this area.