Construction Stormwater General Permit
The most recent Construction General Permit (CGP) Order 2009-2009-DWQ effective as of July 2010 affects dischargers whose projects disturb one or more acres of soil or less than one acre, but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres. These projects must obtain permit coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity.
This updated permit eliminates the commonly referred to dry and rainy seasons and requires BMPs to be in place year round. This permit is now based on the projects overall risk and requires measures to prevent erosion and reduce sediment and other pollutants in their discharge. The project’s risk is based on its location and threat to receiving waters as well as the risk of potential for sediment to erode from that particular site. The risk level will determine the project’s specific monitoring and sampling requirements with more sampling requirements for a project with a higher risk.
The new CGP also included training requirements for individuals developing and implement SWPPPs. The CGP requires these individuals to be certified as Qualified Stormwater Developers and Practitioners (QSD/QSP) under CASQA by September 2, 2011. EBA staff has successfully completed training courses and exams to become certified as QSD/QSPs and are able to assist with your project as little or as much as you need. We can prepare your SWPPP or take a larger role as the projects QSP and perform all the required inspections, monitoring, sampling and documentation.
The new CGP also sets numeric effluent limitations for pH and turbidity and requires a QSP or someone trained by the QSP to sample runoff for pH and turbidity from each outlet at least 3 times a day during a qualifying rain event. EBA has trained staff, in house calibrated meters and flexibility to meet these requirements and perfrom these tasks.
The new CGP now requires dischargers to upload documents to the online database Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS). EBA will be an approved data submitter for your project and submit all necessary reports and documents as needed to keep your project in compliance with the CGP.
EBA can help you answer these questions:
- Does the new CGP apply to your site/project?
- What is my projects risk level?
- What is a qualifying rain event?
- Is my project in compliance with the CGP?
