Urban Runoff Regulation: Municipal

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, a division of the State Water Resources Control Board, has issued regulations to San Diego County jurisdictions regarding storm water pollution reduction and prevention. The San Diego Municipal Storm Water Permit, Order 2001-01, mandates that all San Diego County cities, the County of San Diego and the Port of San Diego develop and implement programs to reduce urban runoff pollution and improve the water quality of creeks, rivers, lakes and our coastline. Order 2001-01 requires all industrial and commercial businesses, construction sites, municipalities, and residential neighborhoods follow certain guidelines to prevent storm water pollution. However, if your business has obtained a storm water permit with the State, then you may have already met the requirements for industrial businesses specified in this local Order, provided you are in compliance with the state guidelines. All businesses, at the minimum, must follow the applicable regulations and Best Management Practices prescribed below.

Prohibited Discharges

As stated in the City of Oceanside’s ordinances,

“The discharge of Pollutants directly or indirectly into the Storm Water Conveyance System or Receiving Waters is prohibited…”

“…any agent introduced to storm water or non-storm water through human activity that may cause or contribute to the degradation of water quality such that public health, the environment, or beneficial uses of waters may be affected. The term may include but is not limited to dredged spoil, rock, sand or silt (excluding sediment, silt, or substances in quantities which would enter storm water from a natural undeveloped watershed); solid waste, sewage, garbage, or medical waste; wrecked or discarded equipment; radioactive materials; industrial waste; fecal coliform; fecal streptococcus, and enterococcus bacteria and other pathogens that pose a threat to human health; volatile organic carbon, surfactants, oil and grease, petroleum hydrocarbons, total organic carbon, lead, copper, chromium, cadmium, silver, nickel, zinc, cyanides, phenols, and biocides; and any contaminant which may significantly degrade the quality of Receiving Waters by altering pH, total suspended or settleable solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nutrients, or temperature.”

Non-Prohibited Discharges

All non-storm water discharges are prohibited from entering a storm drain, with some minor exceptions. The following list details non-prohibited discharges that are only allowed to enter a storm drain if the pollutants have been reduced to the Maximum Extent Practicable.

• Discharges from potable water sources other than water main breaks;
• Diverted stream flows (provided required permits are obtained);
• Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;
• Foundation Drains (not including active groundwater detwatering systems);
• Individual residential washing of vehicles;
• Irrigation water, including recycled water used for irrigation;
• Landscape irrigation;
• Lawn watering;
• Rising ground water;
• Swimming pool Discharges (if chlorine is reduced to non-detectable levels)
• Uncontaminated pumped ground water;
• Uncontaminated Ground water infiltration to storm drains;
• Water from crawl space pumps; and
• Water from footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems).

• Air conditioning condensate; and
• Springs

Inspections

Both the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the City of Oceanside will be conducting inspections at all industrial businesses. Facilities considered high threat will be inspected on an annual basis, whereas those businesses considered medium threat to water quality will be inspected as needed. Inspections are conducted without notice, however you may download samples of the inspection forms (151 KB) in order to understand the areas the inspector will concentrate on during the visit. Be sure to have your facility’s NOI and SWPPP readily available for the inspector, if applicable.

Best Management Practices

What are Best Management Practices or BMP’s? According to our ordinances, BMP’s are:

a “schedule of activities, pollution treatment practices or devices, prohibitions of practices, general good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices or devices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to storm water, receiving waters, or storm conveyance system. Best Management Practices also include but are not limited to treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.”

Materials and Waste Management

• Make sure all hazardous materials, or other potential polluting materials, are stored in a contained, roofed area to prevent contact with rain water.
  • These storage areas must be inspected periodically and at least once before the rainy season (October 1-April 30)
• Trash storage and disposal areas must be inspected at least weekly.
• Cleaning of trash disposal and storage areas with water is only allowed if precautions are taken to prevent the wash water from entering a storm drain.
• Loading and unloading areas must be cleaned regularly using dry methods (sweeping, vacuuming, etc.)
• Wet cleaning of areas is only allowed if wash water does not enter a storm drain.
• Storm drains within or downgradient of loading and unloading areas must be covered or otherwise protected during loading and unloading operations.

Vehicles and Equipment

• Make sure all vehicular equipment is maintained regularly to prevent fluid leaks.
• Storm drains within or downgradient from fuel areas must be covered or otherwise protected to prevent the entry of spilled fuel or other materials.
• Vehicles and equipment can only be fueled in areas where precautions have been taken to prevent storm water pollution. Designated areas are preferred.
• Use of low-flow sumps or oil/water separators is encouraged, but not required for facility storm drains.
• Storm drains within or downgradient from maintenance or repair areas must be covered or otherwise protected to prevent storm water pollution.
• Maintenance and repair equipment must be kept clean to avoid the buildup of grease and oil.
• All fluids must be drained out of retired equipment or vehicles that are stored on-site.
• Drip pans, containers or other methods of drip or spill containment must be used during repair or maintenance of vehicles or equipment.
• Equipment and vehicles may only be washed in areas where precautions have been taken to prevent wash water from entering a storm drain. Designated areas are required if practicable.
• Wash water or rinse water is allowed to infiltrate pervious areas; however if the wash water is the result of cleaning engines, mechanical parts or other heavy equipment, the water may not be infiltrated.
• Wash waters or rinse waters that are not allowed into the sewer system or infiltrated into a pervious surface, must be contained for treatment, re-use or proper disposal.

Outdoor Areas

• Equipment on rooftops (emergency generators, HVAC systems, etc.) must be inspected periodically and regular maintenance must be done to prevent leaks.
• Materials and other substances which accumulate on rooftops (bird droppings, leaves, grease, etc) must be periodically cleaned to reduce or prevent storm water pollution. If using wet methods for cleaning, the wash water cannot enter a storm drain.
• If practicable, rooftop downpouts must be routed away from the street and work areas, to pervious areas such as grass or shrubs.
• Trash containers must be provided in convenient locations to discourage littering.
• Vehicles stored in parking areas for an extended amount of time must be inspected and spills cleaned as necessary.
• Parking areas must be inspected periodically and cleaned of materials that significantly pollute (leaves, oil, grease, fuel, etc.).
• Materials and equipment which may pollute storm water cannot be stored in parking areas unless precautions are taken to prevent storm water pollution.
• Spills of any hazardous liquid substance must be cleaned immediately with an absorbent. If water is needed, use a mop and make sure wash water does not enter a storm drain.
• Using pesticides and fertilizers prior to a scheduled rain event is discouraged.
• Integrated Pest Management practices and other non-chemical pest control are encouraged when practicable.
• Exposed slopes must be vegetated or stabilized.
• Paved surfaces must be cleaned regularly using dry-methods (sweeping, vacuuming). Hosing is permissible if the wash water is recovered and not discharged to a storm drain.
• Stockpiles must be covered during windy or rainy weather.

The complete Industrial Urban Runoff Requirements Manual (291 KB) for the City of Oceanside’s Jurisdiction Urban Runoff Management Plan is available and details the Best Management Practices that all Industrial businesses are required to implement.