A big hurdle to learning a new concept can be the acronyms that get thrown around by the pros. While it’s a convenient way to express information quickly to the experienced, people new to the space can be intimidated by the verbal hieroglyphics. We’re going to discuss the SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) – what they’re for, how they work, and if you need one for your project.
History of the SWPPP
The California State Water Board issued an order in 1999 that required construction sites one acre and larger in size to comply with the EPA’s stormwater regulations for the construction industry. Due to that issuance, many projects require a SWPPP and oversight by environmental professionals. They must upload information online on the State Waterboard’s website called Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System, or SMARTS (We warned you about the acronyms…) While there are some exemptions, most projects that disturb one acre of soil require one.
Components of a SWPPP
The basic components of a SWPPP are the Site Plan, a Construction Schedule, and a list of Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs describe the state of the art practices to mitigate erosion and pollutants escaping from the project site during the planned construction activities. Contractors should follow the SWPPP to prevent contamination of nearby water bodies.
Stormwater Professionals
Construction can be a dirty business. Most of the time, modern construction professionals go to heroic lengths to keep our environment clean. Other times, a little oversight is necessary. Either way, a Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) is a valuable teammate in the pursuit of environmental preservation and regulation compliance. A QSP oversees the implementation of the SWPPP and documents compliance with the State’s requirements. The QSP will usually arrive onsite at regular intervals, plus when there is rain in the forecast.
A properly conceived SWPPP combined with well-documented oversight will help ensure compliance with the State Water Board’s guidelines. CTE Cal can provide SWPPPs prepared by a Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) for your next construction project. We can also provide a QSP to implement your SWPPP for the duration of your project. You’re already scheduling us for construction testing and inspection, why not check two boxes with one firm? Contact us at [email protected] to receive a quote for SWPPP and QSP services today!