Industrial Storm Water, Don’t Miss the Deadlines for Reporting!

Don’t Miss These Deadlines for Industrial General Storm Water Permit!
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JUNE 30: Facilities should have completed the annual evaluation for the reporting year.

California’s General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (General Permit) (Section XV) requires the Discharger to conduct one Annual Comprehensive Facility Compliance Evaluation (Annual Evaluation) for each reporting year (July 1 to June 30). Annual Evaluations will be conducted at least eight (8) months and not more than sixteen (16) months after the previous Annual Evaluation. The planned window for conducting the Annual Evaluation is between April and June of each year. The Annual Evaluation is a comprehensive review of all activities, monthly inspections, sampling and data reports, data uploads to SMARTs, and a thorough review of the storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to determine if revisions are needed. Additionally, facilities should review their results to determine if they will be entering Exceedance Response Action Level I status.

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At a minimum, Annual Evaluations will consist of:

• A review of all sampling, visual observation, and inspection and monitoring records and sampling and analysis results conducted during the previous reporting year;
• A visual inspection of all areas of industrial activity and associated potential pollutant sources for evidence of, or the potential for, pollutants entering the stormwater conveyance system; 
• A visual inspection of all drainage areas previously identified as having no exposure to industrial activities and materials in accordance with the definitions in Section XVII; 
• A visual inspection of equipment needed to implement the BMPs;
• A visual inspection of any BMPs;
• A review and effectiveness assessment of all BMPs for each area of industrial activity and associated potential pollutant sources to determine if the BMPs are properly designed, implemented, and are effective in reducing and preventing pollutants in industrial stormwater discharges and authorized NSWDs; and
• An assessment of any other factors needed to comply with the Annual Reporting requirements in General Permit Section XVI.B.

​JULY 15: Annual Report

The Annual Report will be prepared, certified, and electronically submitted no later than July 15th following each reporting year using the standardized format and checklists in SMARTS based on the reporting requirements identified in Section XVI of the General Permit. Annual reports will be submitted in SMARTS and in accordance with information required by the on-line forms.

The annual report is a series of 12 questions. Once, all questions are completed, any documentation such us SWPPP revisions or other explanation should be uploaded to the Annual Report. Finally, it must certified by the Legally Responsible Person (LPR).
 
The California Water Boards published a guidance document on the Annual Report. It can be found here --> http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/docs/annual_report_060216.pdf
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​OCTOBER 1: Conduct an ERA Level I Evaluation with a QISP (Level I Status Facilities Only)

Facilities with results above the instantaneous or annual numeric action level will enter into ERA Level I status on July I and must conduct an ERA Level I Evaluation and Level I ERA Report. The ERA Level I evaluation is to be conducted by October 1. The discharger shall complete an evaluation, with the assistance of a QISP, of the industrial pollutant sources at the facility that are or may be related to the NAL exceedance(s); and, Identify in the evaluation the corresponding BMPs in the SWPPP and any additional BMPs and SWPPP revisions necessary to prevent future NAL exceedances and to comply with the requirements of the General Permit. Although the evaluation may focus on the drainage areas where the NAL exceedance(s) occurred, all drainage areas are to be evaluated.


JANUARY 1: ERA Level I Report (Level I Status Facilities Only)

Based upon the ERA Level I evaluation, the Discharger shall revise their SWPPP as necessary and implement any additional BMPs identified in the evaluation. Dischargers also must certify and submit via SMARTS, a Level 1 ERA Report prepared by a QISP that includes the following:

• A summary of the Level 1 ERA Evaluation and
• A detailed description of the SWPPP revisions and any additional BMPs for each parameter that exceeded an NAL.

 
The discharger must also certify and submit via SMARTS the QISP’s identification number, name, and contact information (telephone number, e-mail address).
 
Have questions?  Need the help of a QISP?  Give us a call at 888-608-3010.