Understanding Stormwater Permits in California

Posted on December 30, 2024December 30, 2024 by Jason Somers

Stormwater is the runoff that’s produced from rain or snow events. When this precipitation moves over impervious surfaces or land, it will pick up pollutants like trash and motor oil. Stormwater typically flows to nearby bodies of water via sewer systems, which is why lakes, rivers, and oceans can become heavily polluted over time.

California has implemented several measures to effectively manage stormwater and keep sources of water from becoming too contaminated. Stormwater discharges throughout California are regulated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Whether you’re constructing a home or developing a commercial building, you must obtain the right stormwater permits for the job. Securing the necessary permit ensures that you comply with state regulations and protect the environment. The following guide offers key insights into the California stormwater permit process.

Types of Stormwater Permits in California

There are several types of stormwater permits that can be issued in California, including NPDES, MS4, and industrial general permits.

National Pollutant Discharge Eliminate System (NPDES) Permits

When the Clean Water Act became law in 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was given the authority to develop water pollution prevention programs. The EPA is also tasked with enforcing its regulations. One of the numerous programs that the EPA has established to limit and prevent pollution from construction and manufacturing processes is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Based on this program, NPDES stormwater permits are issued to companies and entities that discharge pollutants into water throughout the U.S. Most contaminants come with strict limits that municipal and industrial sources must abide by. Soon after these limits were implemented, the EPA found that many bodies of water across the U.S. became healthier and less contaminated.

Once the program started, the EPA made sure that the environmental department in every state assessed their rivers, lakes, and streams to identify the level of contamination. States also searched for different sources of pollution and aimed to implement pollutant limitations to mitigate damage and enhance water quality.

The NPDES permitting program is currently maintained by California and most other state agencies. Since every state has different uses for each body of water as well as varying types of water, the limits on contaminants can differ.

When obtaining this type of permit, companies are required to use marking tape and markers to increase the visibility of stormwater discharge points and drains. If you need to use drain markers in your facility, make sure you place them near any outflow locations. Keep in mind that markers can come with different images and messages.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permits

The NPDES also runs a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program that’s mandated by the Clean Water Act. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality is tasked with implementing the program. You may need to apply for an MS4 permit if your building is located in an urban area or a community with a population that’s less than 100,000. These permits are administered at the local level.

This type of permit is necessary if you want to implement an extensive Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). It covers six possible control measures, which include the following:

• Public involvement and participation
• Public education and outreach
• Construction site runoff controls
• Illicit discharge detection and mitigation
• Post-construction site runoff controls
• Pollution prevention and housekeeping for municipal operations

There are numerous control measures that can be implemented under the pollution prevention and housekeeping category, such as:

• Spill response
• Operation and maintenance of municipal facilities
• Pavement management
• MS4 maintenance and operation
• Fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide management
• Operation and maintenance of Municipal Stormwater Control Measures (SCM)
• Equipment and vehicle maintenance

Industrial General Permit for Stormwater Discharges

Industrial general permits provide facilities with the ability to discharge stormwater from their properties. Even though the water that’s discharged won’t be free of contaminants, the EPA has placed limits on pollutant concentrations that industrial facilities must adhere to. While stormwater will invariably pick up chemicals, oil, grease, and dirt from industrial land, facilities must measure and treat the water to ensure it doesn’t reenter the surrounding environment at a much lower quality.

A stormwater industrial general permit authorizes various types of discharges based on the activities that occur on the land. Keep in mind, however, that this permit doesn’t cover most non-stormwater discharges, which include everything from wastewater and process water. While it’s possible to obtain a specialized industrial stormwater permit California, it will likely cost more.

The Industrial General Stormwater Permit: Key Requirements

The industrial general permit directly regulates all stormwater discharges on industrial properties. It might also allow for authorized non-stormwater discharges. This document is known as a general permit since numerous types of industrial facilities receive the same level of coverage. In California, the industrial general stormwater permit is implemented and enforced by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards and the State Water Resources Control Board.

Keep in mind that the industrial general permit currently regulates discharges for nine federally defined categories of activities that can occur on an industrial property. The types of facilities that are tasked with applying for an industrial general permit include the following:

• Manufacturers
• Steam generating electricity
• Transportation with vehicle maintenance
• Hazardous waste facilities
• Mining
• Landfills
• Recycling facilities
• Large sewage and wastewater plants
• Oil and gas facilities

Navigating the Permit Process: How a Permit Expediter Can Help

The approval process for any stormwater permit in California can take weeks or months. If the State Water Resources Control Board is dealing with a backlog of permit applications, you may need to wait even longer. You can effectively shorten the approval process and receive your permit faster by hiring a permit expediter.

Permit expediters understand the legal requirements and paperwork that you need to adhere to if you want to receive your permit promptly. They’ll work closely with regional and state authorities to ensure you’re able to obtain the permit you need for your development project without delay.

Working with an expert also ensures timely and accurate submissions. If you receive a request for additional documentation, a permit expediter can gather the necessary paperwork immediately.

Future of Smart Stormwater Management in California

In recent years, smart stormwater management systems have become increasingly popular among facilities and municipalities that are looking to effectively manage the quality of stormwater. By using the Internet of Things (IoT), it’s possible to control, monitor, and optimize stormwater management with multi-functional and cost-effective sensors and communication devices.

Implementing this level of technology in a stormwater management system can potentially reduce costs in day-to-day operations. Smart technology includes anything that can monitor, sense, manage, communicate, or optimize devices systematically. When setting up this type of system, it’s possible to use standalone devices that contain smart features or a network of technologies that work together to deliver the most effective results.

While smart stormwater management systems have already been implemented in many facilities across the U.S., most of them remain in the pilot phase, which means that additional monitoring is needed to determine if this technology is effective. While the Internet of Things allows numerous devices to communicate on a single network, there are some challenges that must be addressed before this technology becomes more widespread.

Since these devices are maintained over a broad network, security issues might arise. Cities and companies that utilize IoT systems must implement powerful cybersecurity measures to reduce the potential for hacking. IoT systems also come with a certain amount of complexity that can be difficult to navigate. Many of the potential challenges associated with IoT systems can be overcome by selecting IoT technology that focuses on dependability, security, and resilience.

The ideal solution is to implement field area networks (FANs that use wireless mesh topologies. FAN technology also gives you access to a wider range of device manufacturers. You should be able to save money and reduce the potential of vendor lock-in.

When deploying a stormwater system over a large outdoor area, you’ll need to use numerous IoT devices, which include everything from pressure sensors to advanced metering. While smart stormwater management systems are currently feasible, there’s still a need for decentralized, optimized catchment-scale approaches that can operate over a dozen square miles or more.

Conclusion

Businesses often need permits to ensure that the stormwater that runs through their properties isn’t too contaminated. If your property discharges highly contaminated stormwater, the EPA could levy fines against your company. The most cost-effective approach involves implementing a smart stormwater management system. Stay informed about new technologies to maximize efficiency. By working with a permit expediter, you’ll be able to maintain compliance with stormwater discharge requirements in a rapidly changing landscape.