1. Know Your Permit (SWPPP Is Key)

  • Review your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) regularly—make sure it’s current and tailored to your specific operations.
  • Identify your facility’s industrial activities, potential pollutants, and best management practices (BMPs).
  • Know your permit requirements: inspection frequency, sampling, reporting, and recordkeeping.

2. Keep Records Spotless

  • Maintain organized documentation: inspection logs, maintenance records, training logs, spill response reports, and sampling results.
  • Inspectors will often want to see at least three years’ worth of records.

3. Conduct Regular Self-Inspections

  • Do quarterly visual assessments and routine facility inspections as required.
  • Use a standard checklist—note any deficiencies and corrective actions.
  • Take photos of both problem areas and improvements—they help show proactive management.

4. Inspect Stormwater Controls (BMPs)

  • Check drainage systems, spill kits, secondary containment, erosion control, etc.
  • Clean out catch basins, oil-water separators, and other structural BMPs regularly.
  • Verify non-structural BMPs (e.g., housekeeping, employee training) are being followed.

5. Prepare for Sampling (If Required)

  • Know when and how to take samples (e.g., first flush during rain events).
  • Ensure you have proper equipment, lab access, and chain-of-custody forms.
  • Stay familiar with your benchmark values and corrective action triggers.

6. Train Employees

  • Provide annual stormwater training to all relevant staff.
  • Focus on spill response, BMPs, and recognizing/reporting stormwater issues.
  • Have a designated stormwater team or coordinator.

7. Walk the Site Before Inspections

  • Do a pre-inspection walk-through before official inspections or audits.
  • Look for illicit discharges, poor housekeeping, uncovered materials, or any exposed pollutants.

8. Know How to Interact with Inspectors

  • Be courteous and cooperative—they’re there to ensure compliance, not to trip you up.
  • Have all documents ready and offer to walk them through the facility.
  • If deficiencies are found, document corrective actions and fix issues promptly.

9. Understand Potential Violations

Common issues inspectors flag:

  • Uncovered waste/materials exposed to runoff.
  • Poorly maintained BMPs.
  • Missing/incomplete SWPPP or inspection logs.
  • Illicit discharges or spills not addressed.
  • Failure to conduct required monitoring or reporting.

10. Stay Ahead

  • Consider mock inspections or third-party audits to uncover issues.
  • Keep an eye on regulatory updates—stormwater regulations can evolve.
  • Treat stormwater compliance as ongoing, not one-and-done.

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