The prevention of stormwater contamination is a major concern that does not discriminate between, and is applicable to, all types of industry. Stormwater can be defined as storm water runoff (e.g. rain flow), snow melt runoff, and drainage. All industrial facilities have some form of stormwater discharge which has the potential to be impacted by pollutants from different types of industrial activities, such as pallets stored outside, forklift traffic between buildings, outdoor parts storage, etc. Due to this potential, all industrial facilities in the United States are required to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Industrial Stormwater Regulations. Noncompliance with any of the Industrial Stormwater Regulations, such as the discharge of stormwater mixed with pollutants from processes or other industrial activity, is a violation of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States.

Facilities are required to ensure that any stormwater discharging from their property is free from contaminants by conducting analytical sampling. Continue reading “Management and Prevention of Stormwater Benchmark Exceedances”

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) has posted a draft of the 2017 NPDES General Permit No. GAR050000 for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. The current (2012) version of the permit is set to expire on May 31, 2017, and this revision will replace it. Most facilities with industrial activities exposed to stormwater are required to have a permit to allow the stormwater to discharge. Some facilities have individual permits, but the majority of industrial facilities are able to obtain coverage under this General Permit, which establishes requirements that are applicable to all covered facilities. Continue reading “Georgia Issues Draft Industrial Stormwater Permit”