Saturday, December 17, 2016

Oklahoma General Industrial Permit Expected To Be Finalized By January 2017

The current Oklahoma Industrial Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) OKR05 expired on September 4, 2016. In accordance with Part 8.2 of the OKR05 permit, if the permit is not reissued or replaced prior to the expiration date, it will be administratively continued and remain in force and effect.


A draft Industrial MSGP OKR05 is currently going through the DEQ internal review process. Once the internal review is complete, the draft permit will be sent to EPA for review and approval. DEQ will publish a public notice and make it available for public review and comment after receiving approval from EPA. Once the public notice period is over, DEQ will issue the permit with an effective date. Completing the permitting process will likely occur between November 2016 and January 2017.


All existing permittees under the current Industrial MSGP OKR05 will have 90 days from the effective date of the new permit to update their Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3) and submit new NOIs to DEQ along with required permit fees for permit renewal. Industries/facilities with No Exposure Certifications will follow the same timeline.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Revised South Carolina General Industrial Permit Makes Several Key Changes Compare To 2010 Permit

The South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control has issued as final the Industrial Stormwater General Permit (SCR000000) on September 1, 2016, and became effective on October 1, 2016. Some of the key changes compared to the South Carolina Permit issued in 2010 are summarized here.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

DEP Allows General Permit Coverage For Facilities Outside High Quality Or Exceptional Value Watersheds

The Pennsylvania DEP has reissued the State General Permit for industrial facility stormwater discharge. The PAG-03 General Permit was reissued on September 24, 2016 for a new 5-year term. The federal regulations identify specific classes of industrial facilities that must apply for NPDES permit coverage; in addition, DEP may require any other facility not identified in the federal regulations to obtain a permit if DEP finds that the facility or activity is resulting in the discharge of pollutants to waters of the Commonwealth.


If a facility is not eligible for coverage under the PAG-03 General Permit, it may apply for an individual NPDES permit, using DEP's industrial waste NPDES permit application package. The most common reason that a facility may not be eligible for general permit coverage is if it is located in a High Quality or Exceptional Value watershed, according to designated uses under Chapter 93 or existing uses determined by DEP.


For those facilities that qualify for PAG-03 General Permit coverage, an alternative to obtaining permit coverage is to request No Exposure Certification if the facility qualifies. The No Exposure Certification alternative is not available to facilities in High Quality or Exceptional Value watersheds, and must be renewed every five years. For facilities not located in a High Quality or Exceptional Value watershed, all industrial materials and activities must be stored and conducted indoors or under roof for a facility to qualify for No Exposure Certification.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Oregon Combines Industrial Stormwater Permits Into One Statewide General Permit

The Oregon DEQ is midway through the process to renew and reissue the NPDES 1200-COLS and NPDES 1200-Z industrial stormwater general permits. The DEQ has maintained different permits covering different geographical areas. The NPDES 1200-COLS permit expired Sept. 30, 2016 and the NPDES 1200-Z expires June 30, 2017. DEQ intends to combine the 1200-COLS and 1200-Z permits into a single industrial stormwater permit. DEQ believes this will reduce the number of general permits requiring renewal, improve the agency’s efficiency in issuing permits, and improve consistency for permit registrants.


DEQ intends to reissue the 1200-Z (with basin-specific conditions for the 1200–COLS) on or before June 1, 2017, with an effective date of July 1, 2017. However, current 1200-COLS permit registrants were required to submit a renewal form by August 1, 2016, and current 1200-Z permit registrants must submit a renewal form by January 3, 2017. For existing registrants that submit a renewal form, coverage under their permit will be administratively extended until they receive coverage under the new permit.


Because the 1200-COLS expired before the combined permit will be available, DEQ issued the 1200-COLSB “bridge permit” for the period between when the 1200-COLS expires and a new combined permit is issued. The reissued 1200-COLSB permit is identical to the expired permit, and became effective on Oct. 1, 2016. This permit will expire on July 1, 2017, when the new combined permit takes effect.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

List of Industrial Stormwater Training Providers in Minnesota | SWPPP Trainer

Caltha staff are stormwater experts, having worked with stormwater permitting and development of stormwater discharge permit compliance programs and SWPPP since the first stormwater rules were drafted in the 1980s. With this deep foundation in the stormwater rules, Caltha provides expert and cost effective storm water consultant services to clients across the US.


One of the key compliance elements is development of an Employee Training Program. Based on an individual employees job responsibilities, different level of training may be required, included training certification. Caltha provides stormwater training in a number of flexible formats, including “train the trainer”. Caltha also offers "real time" web-based training. Trainees log into a webinar format at their own work station and can interact with the trainer in real time. Training sessions are individualized for each facility.


For more information on options available for EH&S training and to request a quote, go to Caltha's Employer Environmental Health & Safety Training Center


Caltha also maintains a library of stormwater permit compliance plan templates to assist permitted sites in developing and managing their overall compliance program. Compliance plan templates incorporate State-specific requirements, such as inspections, monitoring, reporting and training, and provide an easy way to allocate resources and to develop a compliance tracking system. Caltha also conducts Non Stormwater Discharge Evaluations and provides Non Stormwater Discharge Certifications.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Reducing Zinc In Stormwater. What Are Possible Sources Of Zinc In Storm Water?

Many facilities required to monitor metal concentrations under their industrial stormwater permit have found high levels of zinc in their stormwater discharges.

Work conducted by the State of Washington found the major sources of zinc were galvanized materials, particularly on roof surfaces, as well as motor oil and hydraulic fluid accumulated on parking areas, loading docks, and paved grounds. Tire dust in areas with high volumes of trucks and forklifts may also be an important source. Zinc concentrations in runoff from roofs with galvanized ductwork were about 10-fold greater than found from the roofs without galvanized materials.

Both motor oil and hydraulic fluid contain high concentrations of zinc, about 0.1% by weight.

As an example, as little as ½ cup of motor oil spilled on a small paved parking lot could result in 250 µg/L of zinc in runoff during a small rain event.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Stormwater Training, SPCC Training & Related Compliance Training

Caltha LLP provides a wide range of training programs to industrial, government and construction site dischargers to meet the requirements of State and EPA stormwater discharge permits and related spill and emergency preparedness rules.

Training can be provided to large or small groups and is provided either in person at your location, or through a live webinar format. The training sessions commonly requested include:
  • Industrial stormwater discharge permit - SWPPP training
  • Construction site stormwater discharge permit training
  • Stormwater monitoring training
  • Training for site inspections
  • Hazardous waste management training
  • SPCC annual training
  • Spill response training
  • DOT hazardous material (HazMat) triennial recertification and initial training
  • Facility compliance training overview (covering a wide range of typical facility environmental compliance topics)
  • Internal compliance auditor training

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Zinc and Nickel In Industrial Stormwater - Key Zinc Sources At Industrial Facilities

Many facilities are required under their industrial stormwater permit to monitor metal concentrations. Two of the most common metals detected are zinc and nickel.
Considering zinc, work conducted by the State of Washington found the major sources of zinc were galvanized materials, particularly on roof surfaces, as well as motor oil and hydraulic fluid accumulated on parking areas, loading docks, and paved grounds. Tire dust in areas with high volumes of trucks and forklifts may also be an important source. Zinc concentrations in runoff from roofs with galvanized ductwork were about 10-fold greater than found from the roofs without galvanized materials.


Both motor oil and hydraulic fluid contain high concentrations of zinc, about 0.1% by weight. As an example, just ½ cup of motor oil spilled on a small paved parking lot could result in 250 µg/L of zinc in runoff during a small rain event.


Link to a technical analysis of stormwater benchmarks compared to historical industrial sector monitoring data

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Are Municiapally Owned Industrial Facilities Exempt From Storm Water Rules?

From time-to-time this question is asked; much of the confusion on this relates to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act.




Municipally owned and operated industrial sources that had been exempted by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 were no longer exempt from permitting requirements after the Phase II Stormwater regulations came into effect. Provisions within Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act temporarily delayed the deadline for Phase I sources (industrial activities with the exception of power plants, airports, and uncontrolled sanitary landfills) operated by municipalities with populations of less than 100,000 people to obtain an NPDES Stormwater discharge permit. Congress delayed the permitting deadline for these facilities to allow small municipalities additional time to comply with NPDES requirements. The Phase II Final Rule ended this temporary exemption from permitting. Since March 10, 2003, all Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act-exempted municipally operated industrial activities were required to obtain permit coverage.

 



Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Revised Wisconsin DNR Tier 2 Industrial Permit

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has release the revised Tier 2 permit under Chapter NR 216, Subchapter II — Industrial Storm Water Discharge Permits.  The revised permit became effective on June 1, 2016 and expires on May 31, 2021.




Caltha LLP has been providing technical services to facilities located in Wisconsin to bring them into compliance with the revised permit. Click here to review an example project to prepare a revised SWPPP and permit compliance documentation to meet Tier 2 permit


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Webinar-based SWPPP Training to Meet State Permit Requirements and Facility Specific Programs

Caltha LLP offers facilities nationwide webinar based SWPPP Training meeting their individual permit requirements. Each training is customized for the facility and includes elements of the facility's unique Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).


Training is conducted in real-time and provides two-way interaction between the trainer and the trainees. Training sessions can be recorded and replayed for other shifts.


Click here to see an excerpt from a typical training session (no audio)





Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

2016 Revised Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (PAG-03)

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (PAG-03) expired on December 5, 2015.


The Department published a draft revised permit on October 18, 2015. The PAG-03 General Permit is intended to provide NPDES permit coverage to facilities discharging stormwater associated with industrial activity to waters of the Commonwealth that are not considered High Quality or Exceptional Value. If a facility is not eligible for coverage under the PAG-03 General Permit because it is located in a High Quality or Exceptional Value watershed, it may apply for an individual NPDES permit.

Click here for a Summary of the Requirements Under the New PDEP Industrial Permit
Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website


For recent SWPPP news and Caltha project examples in Pennsylvania, click here.

Revised Texas Industrial Permit 2016

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has proposed to revise the current TPDES Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP) TXR050000, issued August 14, 2011 and expires on August 14, 2016. This permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activity. The revised draft MSGP specifies which facilities must obtain permit coverage, which are eligible for exclusion from permit requirements, which may be automatically authorized, and which may be required to obtain individual permit coverage.



Click here for a Summary of Proposed Changes To the Current Texas Permit


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training. For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website