Storm water runoff is part of a natural hydrologic process. However, human activities, particularly urbanization, can alter natural drainage patterns and add pollutants to rainwater and snowmelt that runs off the earth's surface and enters our Nation's rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters. A number of recent studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State water pollution control authorities, and various universities have shown that storm water runoff is a major source of (1) water pollution, (2) declines in fisheries, (3) restrictions on swimming, and these conditions limit our ability to enjoy or use many of the other benefits that the Nation's waters provide.
In order to reduce pollutants in storm water, federal, state, and local governments have promulgated storm water management regulations and programs. These programs have a common goal to improve water quality by reducing the pollutants contained in storm water discharges. Meeting this goal is a difficult challenge for many reasons. For example, the original source of the pollutants transported in storm water can be diffuse or spread out over a wide area. So, small oil and grease spills at hundreds of different facilities within a single city can collectively represent a major pollution problem. In addition, the nature of storm water is such that the amount of pollutants that enter receiving waters will vary in accordance with the frequency, intensity and duration of rainfall and the nature of local drainage patterns. Considering the wide variety of types of industries in the US and the wide range of materials and chemical compounds that are used as part of different industrial activities, a site-specific pollution prevention plan tailored for each facility is considered the most effective, flexible, and economically practical approach to achieve effective storm water management.
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) approach required by EPA gives facilities flexibility to establish a site-specific storm water management program to meet Best Available Technology/Best Control Technology (BAT/BCT) standards required by the Clean Water Act instead of imposing numerical requirements must be fully implemented to meet these standards.
According to EPA general permit requirements, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) shall be developed for each facility covered by a stormwater permit. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans shall be prepared in accordance with good engineering practices. The plan shall identify potential sources of pollution which may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of storm water discharges associated with industrial activity from the facility. In addition, the plan shall describe and ensure the implementation of practices which are to be used to reduce the pollutants in storm water discharges associated with industrial activity at the facility and to assure compliance with the terms and conditions of this permit. Facilities must implement the provisions of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan in order to comply with applicable Federal and State regulations.
