Various Industrial Facilities are required to monitor stormwater discharges, conduct inspections, and submit regular reports to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to demonstrate compliance with the Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP) requirements. Monitoring stormwater discharge helps evaluate the effectiveness of Best Management Practices (BMPs) put in place to mitigate stormwater contaminants and identify areas for improvement. Non-compliance with the permit conditions can result in enforcement actions by the FDEP, including penalties, corrective actions, and potential legal consequences. It is essential for facilities to take their stormwater management responsibilities seriously to protect water quality and avoid regulatory violations.
Industrial facilities within one of the particular defined sectors described by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the MSGP, permitting outlines for stormwater discharge, may be required to conduct both analytical and visual stormwater monitoring.
Analytical monitoring, or sometimes called Benchmark Sampling, means that water must be collected on site at a pre-determined location, usually an outfall, and undergo analytical testing at a laboratory. Analytical monitoring is defined within the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) that describes the process of collecting water samples at a designated, pre-determined, outfall location. The samples collected will provide information about the quality of water discharging from an industrial site against a particular benchmark level in respect to the legal degree of certain criteria. These samples are used to benchmark pollutant concentrations as an indicator from the performance of the implemented best management practices. Today, these samples are usually performed in Years two and potentially year four of the five year permit coverage.
Visual monitoring involves collecting water on site and inspecting using only your senses – eyes and smell. The MSGP refers to visual monitoring as Quarterly Visual Monitoring, or QVM. The most important thing to understand about QVMs is when to take them and what to look for while performing the process. It is important to select the sampling points where stormwater drains from the facility. The site map in your Stormwater pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) should show the drainage areas.
Based on the sector and type of industrial process, facilities must collect stormwater discharge samples on site, which must undergo analytical testing. Facilities must follow specific sampling protocols outlined in the permit, based on their particular sector, to ensure accurate and representative data. Samples may be collected during storm events or at regular intervals, depending on the permit conditions. Proper sampling techniques and equipment are essential to obtain reliable results.
Once samples are collected, facilities must have the sample analyzed by an authorized lab to determine pollutant levels in stormwater discharges. This information helps assess the effectiveness of BMPs implemented at the facility.
Facilities submit online a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) detailing the results of their monitoring activities. DMRs typically include information on sampling dates, locations, analytical results, and any corrective actions taken in response to non-compliance or exceedance.
Non-compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements can result in enforcement actions by the FDEP, such as penalties, corrective measures, or permit modifications. Facilities are expected to promptly address any deficiencies identified through the DMR process to avoid regulatory violations.
The Industrial QVM and DMR sampling process plays a vital role in ensuring that industrial facilities in Florida are effectively managing their stormwater discharges and protecting water quality. By following the monitoring and reporting requirements outlined in the permit, facilities can demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.
If you want to talk to an expert on QVMs and DMRs, give us a call today and see how KCI can help you manage your stormwater program – Call us today on (888) 346-7779.
