What is an NPDES Permit and How Is It Attained?
Ever since the Clean Water Act was signed, many measures have been taken to reduce pollution of United States waters. One of the most important of these measures is the implementation of NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit permits. These permits are required for most large construction projects, many of which can disturb the natural waters. But how can a permit be attained for a project?
After determining whether the permit is needed at the federal or state level, the project managers must conduct and produce a Stormwater Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP). In this plan, there must be comprehensive maps of the project and its runoff and erosion potential. Also, there must be construction details that show how the project will implement anti-pollutant measures.
Then, the SWPPP will be submitted to a local regulatory agency. After it is approved in a week to a month’s time, the permit can be acquired, and the project can start being constructed.
But this is not the end of the process. During construction, the project site is subject to surveys, where regulators determine if the SWPPP plan is being followed. This means that those working on the projects must be aware of anti-pollution measures, and make correct usage of slit fences, sediment basins, and other anti-pollution structures.
If a permit is violated during construction, it may lead to major fines or termination of a project. In a world where we must be conscious of a project’s environmental consequences, it is important to follow the regulations of the Clean Water Act and remain compliant with NPDES Permit Rules.