Act Now: Semi-Annual Stormwater Monitoring and Reporting Deadline Approaching!

Facilities whose stormwater discharges are regulated under New York’s State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) program are required to complete stormwater sampling and reporting on either a quarterly or semi-annual basis. The current monitoring semi-annual period will conclude next week on June 30, at which point reports are due.

About the SPDES Program

Under the Clean Water Act, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program to control surface wastewater and stormwater discharges. EPA approved the SPDES program administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and developed in accordance with the NPDES program requirements to help improve water quality and decrease water pollution in New York State.

The SPDES program is more stringent than its federal counterpart in order to maintain the highest water quality throughout the state while considering factors including public health, recreation, fish and wildlife, and industrial development. Stormwater discharges from certain types of industrial facilities are eligible for coverage under NYSDEC’s Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activity (MSGP, or GP-0-23-001). Stormwater discharges from other types of facilities may be regulated under an individual SPDES permit.

How Does SPDES Permitting Work?

If you qualify for coverage under the MSGP, you need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to the NYSDEC in accordance with the SPDES program requirements. After the permit is issued, you should follow the plan outlined in your SWPPP to ensure that you remain in compliance. Some steps that you may have to take to maintain compliance are quarterly and/or semi-annual sampling and reporting, visual assessment of stormwater, and scheduling recurring inspections of your facility.

Individual SPDES permit applications must be submitted by other facilities who are subject to SPDES requirements but are not eligible for MSGP coverage. NYSDEC has developed different SPDES application forms that apply to various facility types.

Who Must Report?

The upcoming semi-annual stormwater sampling and reporting requirement applies to facilities that are covered under the MSGP, as well as facilities that are covered under individual SPDES permits that include specific conditions related to stormwater discharges. This monitoring is required to demonstrate compliance with Benchmark Monitoring Cutoff Concentrations and Numeric Effluent Limitations.

How Do I Report?

Once you have completed necessary sampling, you have to fill out a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). The DEC has mandated that DMRs are submitted online via the EPA’s NetDMR system.

Walden can help you obtain any necessary stormwater permits for your facility and maintain compliance with regulations. Contact us at 516-559-6976 to speak with one of our stormwater experts today!