Last week we talked about the topic of stormwater – what it is and how it can impact the environment. As we learned, stormwater is the runoff that collects on impermeable surfaces like roads, parking lots, and graded unvegetated soils. This water can pick up all sorts of pollutants along the way, like oil, chemicals, and sediment, before making its way into our local waterways.
The causes of stormwater buildup are straightforward – when we develop land and cover it with concrete and asphalt, it prevents the water from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, it collects and flows, potentially causing flooding and contaminating our rivers, lakes, and oceans. And that is not good for the environment.
So, what can we do about it? Construction sites must use stormwater controls, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants by controlling them at their source. Best management Practices are an integral part of maintaining and managing stormwater runoff. KCI is a company that helps clients perform site assessments, design stormwater compliance plans, maintain, monitor, and inspect BMP performance.
Identifying effective stormwater management programs and assisting clients with stormwater compliance and erosion control is critically important. By performing professional site assessments, we will identify existing conditions to appropriately outline and document the Stormwater Pollution Prevent Plan (SWPPP). During this process, we will clearly define the necessary BMPs that will control erosion, sediment, and other contaminants from entering local water bodies.
Once these are completed, KCI will help clients implement all the parameters of Construction Generic Permit (CGP). The permit specifically requires an inspection by a certified and trained stormwater inspector every 7 days or within 24 hours of a storm of 0.5 inches or more in rain.
In the state of Florida, construction projects that impact over an acre of land or part of a larger common plan of development are required to perform the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) inspections once a week and for every half inch rain event in accordance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Construction Generic Permit. It is important to understand the purpose of these inspections are to ensure the surrounding areas are successfully managed and maintained to protect the site from unwanted polluted stormwater runoff.
KCI has highly trained field consultants who are ready to perform regular inspections and consult you with precise site inspection reports allowing you to maintain regulatory compliance. KCI can maximize site compliance and minimize your risk. Call us today 888-346-7779.
