CPSWQ flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Disturbance threshold for CGP

Construction General Permit coverage is generally required when earth-disturbing activity disturbs one acre or more, or less than one acre if part of a common plan totaling one acre or more.

SWPPP purpose

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan identifies potential pollutant sources and specifies the best management practices, inspection schedules, and maintenance procedures used to prevent stormwater contamination at a site.

Construction inspection frequency

Sites must be inspected at least every seven calendar days, or every 14 calendar days with an additional inspection within 24 hours after a storm event producing 0.25 inches or more of rain.

Site stabilization deadline

Disturbed areas must be stabilized as soon as practicable, but no later than 14 days after construction activity has permanently ceased on that portion of the site.

Concrete washout requirements

Washout water from concrete operations is a prohibited non-stormwater discharge and must be contained in a lined, designated pit or container that is never connected to the storm drain system.

Notice of Termination construction

The NOT is submitted when all disturbed areas have been finally stabilized, all temporary controls removed, and no further construction stormwater discharges occur from the site.

Erosion vs sediment control

Erosion controls prevent soil from being detached, such as mulching and seeding, while sediment controls trap soil already mobilized, such as silt fence and sediment basins.

Construction record retention

The SWPPP and inspection records must generally be retained for at least three years after permit termination and be made available to the permitting authority upon request.

Phase I MS4 definition

Phase I municipal separate storm sewer systems serve populations of 100,000 or more and are regulated under individual NPDES permits with specific program requirements.

Phase II MS4 definition

Phase II covers regulated small MS4s located in urbanized areas or designated by the permitting authority, generally operating under a general permit with six minimum control measures.

Six minimum control measures

Small MS4 programs must address public education, public participation, illicit discharge detection, construction runoff control, post-construction runoff control, and municipal pollution prevention and good housekeeping.

Illicit discharge detection program

The IDDE program requires a storm sewer system map, a regulatory mechanism prohibiting illicit discharges, and procedures to trace and eliminate non-stormwater entries into the system.

Maximum extent practicable

MEP is the statutory standard for MS4 stormwater programs, requiring controls that reduce pollutants to the maximum extent practicable using available technologies, funding, and resources.

Post-construction stormwater controls

New development and redevelopment must use structural and non-structural BMPs to manage runoff volume, rate, and pollutant loads, often meeting numeric retention or treatment criteria.

TMDL wasteload allocation

A TMDL assigns a wasteload allocation to point sources, including MS4s, which must implement BMPs and measurable milestones to meet the assigned pollutant load reduction.

Municipal good housekeeping

This minimum measure covers municipal operations such as street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, vehicle maintenance, and employee training to prevent stormwater pollution from government activities.

MS4 annual report contents

Annual reports typically document BMP implementation status, measurable goals achieved, monitoring results, and progress toward compliance deadlines specified in the permit.

Urbanized area designation

The Census Bureau defines urbanized areas with populations of 50,000 or more; small MS4s within these boundaries are automatically regulated under Phase II.

Storm sewer system map

An MS4 must maintain a map showing outfalls, receiving waters, and the storm sewer system, used to support illicit discharge detection and program planning.

Industrial activity definition

Stormwater associated with industrial activity includes discharges from facilities in regulated sectors identified by SIC codes, such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation.

Industrial SWPPP contents

An industrial SWPPP includes a facility description, site map, inventory of exposed materials, list of significant spills, description of controls, and monitoring and inspection procedures.

BAT and BCT standards

Industrial permits require Best Available Technology Economically Achievable and Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology, plus numeric limits where TMDLs or state standards apply.

Quarterly visual inspection

Industrial facilities typically conduct quarterly visual inspections of stormwater discharges and associated BMPs, documenting observations and any needed corrective actions.

Annual comprehensive site evaluation

Once a year the facility must conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the SWPPP and site conditions, documenting findings and revising the plan where deficiencies are found.

Benchmark exceedance response

When monitoring exceeds a benchmark value, the facility must investigate the cause, implement additional BMPs, and document the corrective action and follow-up monitoring in the SWPPP.

Notice of Intent industrial

An NOI is submitted to obtain coverage under a general industrial stormwater permit, certifying eligibility and identifying the facility, outfalls, and receiving waters.

Notice of Termination industrial

An NOT is submitted when industrial activity ceases or stormwater discharges are eliminated, ending permit coverage and further monitoring obligations.

Non-stormwater discharge elimination

Industrial facilities must identify and eliminate non-stormwater discharges to storm drains; authorized discharges must be listed in the SWPPP and covered by separate permits where required.

Exposed materials inventory

The SWPPP must list significant materials exposed to precipitation, including their quantities, storage locations, and potential for contributing pollutants to stormwater runoff.

Significant spill history

The SWPPP must document significant spills of oil or hazardous substances that occurred at the facility in the three years before permit coverage, along with response actions taken.

Responsible corporate officer

The SWPPP and permit reports must be signed and certified by a responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative who attests to their accuracy.

Stormwater discharge monitoring

Industrial permits often require sampling of stormwater discharges for parameters such as total suspended solids, pH, and sector-specific pollutants, with results reported to the permitting authority.