If you are planning to build a business premise that covers more than 1 acre and one that has to deal with storm water, you are required to implement an effective storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The plan should show how you’ll handle the various sources of storm water pollution in your construction site. The problem with the SWPPP certification process is that it can be complicated. The state environmental agencies that often handle them often do less than stellar jobs. To prepare you for the certification process, here are some of the most common hiccups that you should anticipate:
1. The SWPPP Permit Taking Longer to Get
This is probably the most frustrating aspect of storm water management certification process. The regulatory agency that you approach may promise you an easy and fast process but this may not always be the case. Issues to do with the documentation may delay the process.
You should hire an SWPPP contractor to handle your storm water management project. The expert should handle all SWPPP aspects—from the application of the permit to its renewal.
2. The SWPPP Permit Expiring Faster Than Expected
After getting the certification, the other thing that you have to worry about is its expiry. Considering how fast SWPPP compliance requirements change often, your permit may expire before its due date.
You need to stay updated on the latest SWPPP compliance changes. In case you have to change something in your plan, you should do it fast and if it’s necessary to renew your permit, you should also do so immediately.
3. General SWPPP Permits Looking Complicated
A majority of general SWPPPs are about 20-40 pages. However, there are SWPPPs in some states that may exceed 100 pages. This may discourage you from pursuing the permit.
You should talk take an SWPPP online course to learn about the most important features that you need to reflect on your plan.
4. Heavy Fines for SWPPP Violations
Lastly, a violation of the SWPPP usually leads to hefty fines. For example, you may pay up to $37,500 or time in prison for noncompliance. You should inspect your site weekly so that you can identify any possible reason for non-compliance.
Bottom-line
Though the requirements for SWPPP certification and implementation vary from state to state, the challenges are more or less the same. You need to prepare for them to make the process smoother. Hopefully, the above highlighted tips will come in handy when pursuing SWPPP certification for your next project. That’s the best way of ensuring that you remain compliant.
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