Storm Water Regulation: Municipal

The State Water Resources Control Board, a division of the California Environmental Protection Agency, has required since 1990 that certain industrial businesses obtain a storm water permit in order to discharge runoff into a city’s storm drain system or a local waterbody. This storm water permit mandates that regulated industrial businesses must develop and implement various programs to prevent the contamination of urban runoff draining off their site. Additional information about the state industrial storm water permit is listed below.

State Industrial Storm Water Permit

If the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code of your business is between 0210-5171, you may be subject to regulation under the Statewide Industrial Activities Storm Water General Permit administered by the State Water Resources Control Board. The SWRCB has divided these potentially polluting SIC Codes into two categories, mandatory and conditional businesses. Businesses falling under the both categories must obtain coverage or else face the possibility of extensive fines.

SIC Codes

An SIC Code is your Standard Industrial Classification Code. Based on these codes government agencies are able to organize data on various sectors of our economy, as well as better understand the operations and nature of your business. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has identified that some businesses between SIC Codes 0210-5171 have a medium to high threat potential for polluting storm water based upon activities and materials used during manufacturing, assembly, production or distribution. Remember, it is your activities that dictate whether or not you are subject to a Statewide General Storm Water Permit for Industrial Activities. SIC Codes simply classify your business based on its activities. Make sure you choose an SIC Code that adequately reflects the type of activities conducted by your business.

Permit Requirements

Industrial businesses regulated under the Statewide Industrial Activities Storm Water General Permit need to meet certain requirements in order to be in compliance. Businesses must:

• File for a Notice of Intent (NOI)
• Pay the annual fee of $250 or $500, depending upon facility location,
• Eliminate unauthorized non-storm water discharges,
• Develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP),
• Use and monitor Best Management Practices for reducing or eliminating urban runoff pollution,
• Monitor storm water and authorized non-storm water discharges,
• Provide adequate training for employees, and
• Submit an annual report to the SWRCB detailing compliance to permit requirements.

Inspections

Both the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the City of Oceanside will be conducting inspections on all facilities regulated under the Statewide General Industrial Activities Permit or considered high to medium threat to water quality. All 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. All inspections are conducted without notice, however you may download the inspection forms 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.