Industrial & Manufacturing Services Blog

A Reminder to EPA NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit Holders:

By Kristen Motel, Environmental Compliance Specialist

It is now April 2009; the beginning of the first monitoring quarter for the MSGP.

Sampling Quarters:
April 1-June 30
July 1-Septmeber 30
October 1-December 31
January 1-March 31

Here's a checklist of to-do's to make sure your facility's stormwater discharges are MSGP compliant:

• Familiarize yourself with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and its contents

        o Check to make sure your plan is up-to-date (including names and             telephone #s)

• Be aware of the facility sampling locations; it's not a bad idea to mark outfalls; they will be more difficult to find once foliage grows in:

        o Markers should be as visible as possible from the road, building or parking lot, and high enough to be seen if there is snow on the ground

• Re-acquaint yourself with your industry-specific benchmark concentrations for monitoring (if applicable)
• Train your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team

         o Inform members of your facility's monitoring and sampling schedule
         o Designate responsibilities among team members (sampling, monitoring, submitting results and reports, updating the SWPPP, and implementing necessary control measures)

• The members responsible for monitoring and sampling should be trained on assessment and proper collection procedures

        o Conduct a complete outdoor inspection as a team to be sure all outfalls and catch basins are well-maintained and no major adjustments need to be made since the winter

• Document any changes in your SWPPP

Look on the bright side...inspecting and sampling lets you enjoy the weather this time of the year!