Final Arizona ADEQ Industrial Stormwater MSGP Storm Water Rule

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has finalized its multisector industrial stormwater discharge general permit, known officially as the AZPDES Multi-Sector General Permit, or MSGP 2010. This permit replaces the existing industrial stormwater permit, which expired in 2005. This permit is nearly identical to the draft permit released for public comment in February 2010.

[Review a summary of the draft ADEQ Industrial Stormwater Permit]

All facilities that require permit coverage are required to submit a permit application (Notice of Intent, or NOI) to ADEQ; an NOI needs to be submitted even for facilities that were previously covered by the old permit.

Some key changes in the new permit compared to the previous permit are the additional of sector-specific requirements for each of 30 different sectors.

Click on a sector below to review proposed sector specific requirements:

Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector A - Timber Products
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector B - Paper and Allied Products Manufacturing
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector C - Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector D - Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials and Lubricant Manufacturing
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector E - Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Products
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector F - Primary Metals
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector G - Metal Mining
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector H - Coal Mining
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector I - Oil and Gas Extraction and Refining
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector J - Mineral Mining
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector K - Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal Facilities
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector L - Landfills, Land Application Sites, and Open Dumps
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector M - Automobile Salvage Yards
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector N - Scrap Recycling and Waste Recycling Facilities
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector O - Steam Electric Generating Facilities
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector P - Land Transportation and Warehousing
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector Q - Water Transportation
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector R - Ship and Boat Building and Repair Yards
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector S - Air Transportation Facilities
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector T - Treatment Works
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector U - Food and Kindred Product
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector V - Textile Mills, Apparel, and Other Fabric Products
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector W - Furniture and Fixtures
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector X - Printing and Publishing
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector Y - Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector Z - Leather Tanning and Finishing
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector AA - Fabricated Metal Products
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector AB - Transportation Equipment, Industrial and Commercial Machinery
Arizona DEQ SWPPP Requirements for Sector AC - Electronic and Electrical Equipment and Components

[Read more about ADEQ stormwater monitoring requirements and industrial stormwater benchmarks]

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients in Arizona 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

Arizona DEQ Stormwater Monitoring and Industrial Storm Water Benchmarks

In December 2010, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial stormwater discharges. The revised permit included significant changes to stormwater discharge requirements for permitted sites, which are now divided into 29 industrial sectors. One of the most significant changes was the requirement for sampling stormwater and reporting results to ADEQ. The monitoring requirement begins immediately after permit coverage begins. ADEQ has defined monitoring seasons in the permit:
Summer wet season: June 1 – October 31
Winter wet season: November 1 – May 31
The frequency for stormwater sampling in the permit is at least twice each wet season (summer and winter) from each monitoring location.

All sites permitted under the MSGP (with some limited exceptions) will have to collect stormwater samples and have samples analyzed for their sector-specific benchmark parameters. If one or more benchmarks are exceeded, sites will be required to upgrade their pollution prevention measures and will need to do further stormwater monitoring.

Some stormwater benchmarks that apply to several sectors include:

Ammonia 2.14 mg/L
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 30 mg/L
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 120 mg/L
pH 6.0 – 9.0 s.u.
Total Aluminum 0.75 mg/ L
Total Arsenic 0.15 mg/L
Total Cyanide 0.022 mg/ L
Total Iron 1.0 mg/L
Total Magnesium 0.064 mg/L
Total Mercury 0.0014 mg/L
Total Selenium 0.005 mg/L
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 100 mg/L


Since the 1980s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected industry-sector data on stormwater discharge. The linked presentation provides a comparison of these historic industrial stormwater results to the many of the ADEQ stormwater benchmark concentrations. The results are discussed in context of which stormwater benchmark parameters have a higher potential for exceedance of benchmark values. This presentation also discusses which of the industrial sectors have a higher potential for exceedance of their specific benchmark values.

Note: Arizona uses the same benchmark concentrations used by EPA and many other States; although the this linked presentation was specific to Minnesota, the analysis and conclusions apply to Arizona.
Link to presentation slides:

Industrial Stormwater Benchmarks – Comparison of New Minnesota Benchmark Concentrations To Historic Industry-specific Testing Results
Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients in Arizona 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 Wisconsin Stormwater General Permits - Public Hearings

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has proposed to reissue four of its expired general industrial storm water discharge permits:

Tier 1 Industrial Facilities (Permit No. S067849-3);
Tier 2 Industrial Facilities (Permit No. S067857-3);
Recycling of Scrap and Waste Materials (Permit No. S058831-2); and
Dismantling of Vehicles for Parts Selling and Salvage (Permit No. S059145-2).

The Department will be conducting three public hearings on the proposed permits:

December 14, Madison, WI
December 15, Wausau, WI
December 16, Milwaukee, WI

The purpose of the hearings is to receive public comments on the WDNR’s tentative decision to reissue these general permits. During the hearings, DNR staff will briefly explain the content of the proposed permits. Written comments on the reissued permits must be received no later than January 7, 2011.

To review a summary of each of the permit, click on the links below:

Tier 1 Industrial Facilities (Permit No. S067849-3);
Tier 2 Industrial Facilities (Permit No. S067857-3);
Recycling of Scrap and Waste Materials (Permit No. S058831-2); and
Dismantling of Vehicles for Parts Selling and Salvage (Permit No. S059145-2).

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

MPCA Storm Water Benchmarks, Comparison To Historic Sector Monitoring Data

In 2010, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reissued the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial stormwater discharges. The reissued permit included significant changes to stormwater discharge requirements for permitted sites, which are now divided into 29 industrial sectors. One of the most significant changes was the requirement for sampling stormwater and reporting results to MPCA. Each sector has been assigned sector-specific stormwater benchmark concentrations. Beginning in June 2011, all sites permitted under the MSGP will have to collect stormwater samples and have samples analyzed for their sector-specific benchmark parameters. If one or more benchmarks are exceeded, sites will be required to upgrade their pollution prevention measures and will need to do further stormwater monitoring.

Since the 1980s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has collected industry-sector data on stormwater discharge. The linked presentation provides a comparison of these historic industrial stormwater results to the current MPCA stormwater benchmark concentrations. The results are discussed in context of which stormwater benchmark parameters have a higher potential for exceedance of benchmark values. This presentation also discusses which of the industrial sectors have a higher potential for exceedance of their specific benchmark values.

Note: Because many States use the same benchmark concentrations used by Minnesota, this analysis and conclusions can be applied to most States.
Link to presentation slides:

Industrial Stormwater Benchmarks – Comparison of New Minnesota Benchmark Concentrations To Historic Industry-specific Testing Results
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

Correction Rule for Construction & Development Effluent Limitations Guidelines

US EPA has announced that it is taking action will address an error that was identified in the Effluent Limitations Guidelines for the Construction & Development (C&D) Point Source Category. The C&D rule was issued on December 1, 2009 and became effective on February 1, 2010. This rule contains a numeric effluent limit for turbidity, based on the application of passive treatment technology.

After the final rule was promulgation, EPA received two petitions for reconsideration of the C&D rule. The petitions pointed out a potential error in the calculation of the numeric limit. Based on EPA's examination of the underlying dataset, EPA has determined that the calculations used to develop the limit were not adequate to support the numeric effluent limit. Consequently, EPA intends to propose a correction rule for public comment and then take final action on a revised limitation.

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.comorCaltha LLP Website

Stormwater Treatment System for PCB in Seattle

The Boeing Company signed an agreement with EPA to construct a new stormwater treatment system at North Boeing Field in Seattle. The treatment system will be designed to reduce the amount of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are an on-going source of pollution to the Duwamish River.

The North Boeing Field storm drain system carries stormwater to the Duwamish River through more than seven miles of catch basins, drains, inlets, and oil-water separators. Studies by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the City of Seattle, and Boeing showed the North Boeing Field storm drain system is the biggest source of PCBs to the river sediments in Slip 4, one of the most highly contaminated sites on the lower Duwamish waterway.

With the installation of this stormwater treatment system to address the on-going source of PCBs, cleanup of Slip 4 will proceed in 2011. Several acres of contaminated sediments in Slip 4 will be cleaned up under an EPA settlement agreement with the City of Seattle and King County.

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

Fee Increase For California Storm Water Permits

The California State Water Resources Control Board is considering emergency measures that will result in a significant increase the fees charged to stormwater permittees.

According to the State Board, the increase is needed to respond to both reductions in revenue generated and increased program costs. The shortfall in revenue is a result of under-collection of revenue in the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) in FY 2009-10 and a substantial drop in enrollment under the State Water Board’s recently adopted storm water construction permit. In July 2009, the State Water Board adopted Order 2009-0009-DWQ requiring storm water construction dischargers to enroll in a new storm water construction permit by July 1, 2010. Approximately 64 % of previous storm water construction permit holders did not renew their permits by the deadline and have been terminated from coverage. Many of these permittees did not reenroll because of a decline in construction activity. At the same time, the downturn in the construction industry has resulted in a reduction of the number of new permits being issued.

During the same period, costs increased substantially due to a shift in funding for basin planning from General Fund support to fee support and a return to full payroll costs due to the discontinuance of the furlough program.

According to the State Board, the Storm Water program needs to generate an additional $4.4 million in revenue to meet the FY 2010-11 Budget, which translates to a 21.5 % increase to all Storm Water fee categories.

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