Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

Produces a construction SWPPP covering site characterization, BMP selection, inspection schedules, recordkeeping, and operator certification under the Clean Water Act NPDES program.

Prerequisites

Project details — name, location (coordinates or legal description), total disturbance acreage, timeline
Operator identification — entity with day-to-day operational control
Site characterization — soil types, topography, drainage patterns, existing vegetation
Receiving waters — all water bodies receiving discharge, distance/direction, 303(d) or TMDL status
Environmental features — wetlands, endangered species habitat, historic properties within or adjacent to site
Existing permits — NPDES permit number, state CGP, MS4 requirements
Site plans / grading plans — if available

Output Structure

1. Cover Page & Certifications

| Element | Requirement | |---|---| | Project name & NPDES permit # | Required | | Operator name, address, contact | Required | | Preparer name & qualifications | Required | | PE seal | If required by state | | Signature block | Operator or authorized representative — name, title, date | | Certification language | Full 40 CFR 122.22 certification language |

2. Site Description

Project narrative (scope, phases, timeline)
Total site area vs. disturbance area
Soil types (reference NRCS Web Soil Survey)
Pre- and post-construction drainage patterns
Receiving waters table:

| Receiving Water | Classification | 303(d) Listed? | TMDL? | Distance from Site | |---|---|---|---|---| | {name} | {class} | Y/N | Y/N | {ft/mi, direction} |

Endangered species / historic preservation eligibility determination

3. Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Organize into three categories. For each BMP, specify location, install timing, design spec, and maintenance requirement.

Erosion & Sediment Controls — silt fence, sediment basins (3,600 cf/acre or state requirement), inlet protection, stabilized construction entrances (min 50 ft × 20 ft, 6" stone), temporary seeding for areas inactive >14 days.

Good Housekeeping & Pollution Prevention

| Practice | Standard | |---|---| | Material storage | Secondary containment for liquids; covered erodible materials | | Concrete washout | Lined, bermed, ≥10 ft from drainage; no direct discharge | | Spill prevention | Kits within 50 ft of fuel/chemical storage; report per state thresholds | | Waste management | Dumpsters covered; hazmat manifested per RCRA | | Sanitary waste | Licensed portable facilities; serviced weekly minimum | | Vehicle maintenance | Drip pans required; fluid changes only over containment |

Stabilization Practices

| Condition | Deadline | Method | |---|---|---| | Inactive areas | 14 days from last disturbance (7 days if impaired water) | Temporary seed, mulch, or erosion blanket | | Final grade reached | Per CGP (typically 14 days) | Permanent seed + mulch or sod | | Steep slopes (>3:1) | Immediately after grading | Erosion control blanket + seed |

4. Inspection & Monitoring

Schedule

| Trigger | Frequency | |---|---| | Routine | Every 7 calendar days during active construction | | Storm event (≥0.5 in.) | Within 24 hours after discharge ends | | Reduced (if CGP allows) | Monthly when temporarily stabilized |

Inspector: Qualified person with SWPPP/BMP/CGP knowledge. States may require CPESC or equivalent.

Each inspection must document:

[ ] All BMPs operational and maintained
[ ] No off-site sediment discharge
[ ] Slopes and disturbed areas assessed
[ ] Sediment levels at basins/traps
[ ] Construction entrances functioning
[ ] Material storage properly contained
[ ] New discharge points identified
[ ] Prior corrective actions completed

Corrective actions: Initiate within 24 hours; complete before next storm or within 7 days, whichever is sooner.

5. Recordkeeping

| Record | Retention | |---|---| | Current SWPPP | Permit duration + 3 years; on-site or readily accessible | | Inspection reports, rainfall data, BMP maintenance logs | 3 years after Notice of Termination (NOT) | | SWPPP amendments (all versions) | 3 years after NOT | | Training records, agency correspondence | 3 years after NOT |

6. Amendments

SWPPP is a living document. Amend when:

BMPs prove ineffective
Site conditions change (new phases, redesign)
Inspections reveal new pollutant sources
Agency directs changes or operator changes

Log each amendment with date, description, and responsible party.

7. Personnel & Training

Identify SWPPP administrator by name and contact
All BMP personnel: initial training + annual refresher
Topics: SWPPP requirements, BMP installation/maintenance, spill response, reporting obligations

8. Appendices

A: Site maps (existing conditions, grading, BMP locations, drainage areas)
B: BMP detail drawings
C: NPDES permit / state CGP authorization
D: Notice of Termination (when filed)
E: Inspection report forms (blank + completed)
F: Subcontractor certifications
G: Endangered species / historic preservation documentation

Guidelines

State tailoring — CGP varies by state; confirm BMP design standards, inspection frequencies, stabilization deadlines, and reporting thresholds [VERIFY]
303(d) / TMDL waters — trigger enhanced BMPs and potentially numeric effluent limits; flag prominently in site description
MS4 permits — check for local requirements beyond the CGP
Multi-operator sites — each operator needs own SWPPP or clearly defined responsibilities in shared plan
Do not certify — include signature blocks but operator (not drafter) must sign
Linear projects (roads, utilities) — use phased approach with separate BMP plans per active segment
Federal citations: 40 CFR § 122.26, 40 CFR § 450.21, CWA § 402 [VERIFY CGP version year against current EPA issuance]
Mark all state-specific citations with [VERIFY] unless user provides applicable state CGP