accenaGroup Blog

"I've been doing this for 40 years and I've never had to have a SWPPP before. Why do I need one now?" People ask me this question a lot. In fact, people ask me this question way too often. It's time we put the subject to rest. SWPPPs aren't new and they aren't going anywhere. This may be the first time you've heard of it, but it certainly won't be the last.  What is a SWPPP? SWPPP stands for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. The name pretty much says it all. A SWPPP is a plan that must be in place on all construction and industrial production sites that disturb more than 1 acre of land. They are also required for a lot of projects that disturb less than 1 acre of land.  The SWPPP tells the EPA, your state, and your municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) exactly how you plan on keeping sediment, debris, fuels and oils, paint, concrete, and any other pollutant you might generate out of the storm drains, lakes, rivers, stream

How To Avoid EPA Fines and Penalties You can’t manage what you can’t see. Poorly Managed Environmental Inspections, Action Items, Documents and Maps = HEAVY FINES & PENALTIES Where are your Stormwater or SPCC Plan inspections? Do you have instant access to them so that you can see if they are even being done? Do reports contain open and closed action items by dates? Are these plans accessible to anyone that needs to view them? Do they contain current regulations, permits, proper certifications or other necessary items? Are specific components like maps and specifications being properly updated? These are questions that industry professionals are presently considering as a growing emphasis is placed on environmental compliance and enforcement in our communities nationwide. Ready mix batch plants and other related concrete production facilities take no exception to this. For example, most plants and production facilities have to manage a Spill Prevention Control and Counterme

Stormwater Compliance Challenges Understanding What is Required There are many components to effective compliance programs, and they all work together. Regulations, Permitting, Documents, Timing, Processes, Ongoing Documentation, Training, and more... Example: Consent Decree Technology is Needed All Documents, Permits, Maps in One Place Required Training Maps History 24/7 Accessibility Ever Changing Requirements Multiple Regulations Impacting Different Operations Stormwater Air Quality Safety Training Inspections Lack of Someone Specializing in Stormwater Regulations Proper Resources Proper Training Experience Example: Inspection Forms and Plans Training Owners and Management Personnel All Individuals Involved with Everyday Operations Company Processes Example: Action Items Proper Tools to Obtain Compliance Wated Time and Resources Lack of understanding as to which tools are needed to achieve company goals Impacts

Online SWPPP Management Where is your SWPPP? Is it accessible to anyone that wants to view it? Does it contain the current permit or proper certifications? Is your SWPPP being properly amended/updated when you perform required ongoing inspections? These are questions that construction professionals and MS4s are presently considering as a growing emphasis is placed upon water quality and enforcement in our communities nationwide. A SWPPP is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and required by the Federal Clean Water Act on most construction sites including industrial facilities  that have exposures to rain or snow melt. Federal, state, and local regulations are very specific when it comes to how these plans must be properly managed. After all, the SWPPP document itself is the “court document”, derived of self-monitoring documentation that is required by their complicated regulations. As these regulations grow more complex, companies and MS4s are trying to solve how to best m