If you are someone who deeply cares about the environment, you might be curious as to whether your construction project or industrial facility may need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit .
Why need a permit?
The NPDES program, created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act (CWA), was established to control, regulate, and prevent pollution from point source discharges of stormwater into surface waters of the United States of America from certain municipal, industrial and construction activities. The permit includes limits on what can be discharged and requires reporting and other provisions to ensure any contaminants are contained. The NPDES permit was established to help ensure a safe environment for our ecosystem and the health of our communities.
How can KCI help?
Environmental compliance and stormwater management is our specialty. When you apply for a NPDES permit, you must follow certain protocols to minimize the risk of being fined. KCI can be your partner to reduce your risk and ensure your successful by helping you follow the steps below.
- Prepare your SWPPP
- You will need a plan for your stormwater associated with any construction activity or industrial facility. The SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) is a requirement for specified CGP construction permits and MSGP industrial permits. This should be completed before filing your NOI.
- Help file Notice of Intent (NOI)
- You need an NOI for any construction project that disturbs over one acre of land or if it is part of a larger common plan of development. In Florida, the NOI needs to be filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
- Maintain BMPs and Erosion Controls
- Installing and maintaining your BMPs (Best Management Practice) is important to reducing runoff and pollution before it leaves your property. KCI has professionals who will go to your site to ensure you’re on track.
- Keeping up with Regulation
- KCI can also assist in conducting weekly NPDES inspections and after 1/2 inch of rainfall by a qualified inspector. NPDES inspections are required on construction job sites in Florida every 7 days and 24 hours after a 0.5″ of rainfall. These inspections must identify areas that need to be maintained or altered to ensure compliance with the permit. Industrial inspections are required quarterly and once annually by the Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP).
- Keeping up with and updating the SWPPP might be the last thing on your mind, and it is one of the regulations when following protocol for pollutant elimination. When your project is completed, you will need to file a Notice of Termination (NOT).
If you have any questions at all, contact us at KCI. We are experts at guiding you through the process. Call us today at 888-346-7779.
