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Industrial stormwater

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Industrial stormwater

Industrial stormwater is runoff from precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, or hail) that lands on industrial sites (e.g. manufacturing facilities, mines, airports). This runoff is often polluted by materials that are handled or stored on the sites, and the facilities are subject to regulations to control the discharges.

To manage industrial stormwater effectively, facilities use best management practices (BMPs) that aim to both prevent pollutants from entering the runoff and treat water before it's released from the site. Common preventive steps include maintaining clean workspaces, conducting routine equipment checks, storing materials properly, preventing spills, and training staff on pollution prevention techniques.

To treat stormwater, facilities may install structural controls such as detention and retention ponds, constructed wetlands, filter systems, or oil-water separators. These systems help reduce pollution by settling out solids, filtering water, or supporting natural treatment processes before the water is discharged.

In the United States, facilities that discharge industrial stormwater to surface waters must obtain a permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), pursuant to the Clean Water Act. Stormwater permit regulations issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) govern the permit process. EPA published its "Phase I" stormwater rule, which covers industrial dischargers, in 1990.

Most stormwater permits in the U.S. are issued by the agencies in 47 states that have been given authority by EPA. EPA regional offices issue the stormwater permits in the remaining parts of the country.

Many industrial sites are legally required to have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which outlines the steps they’ll take to control and monitor runoff. In the U.S., this falls under regulations like the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Ongoing inspections and monitoring are essential to ensure these controls are working as intended, identify issues early, and maintain compliance while protecting nearby waterways.

EPA published its Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) initially in 1995 to govern how industrial stormwater should be managed, and periodically it has updated and reissued the permit. The 2021 MSGP covers 30 industrial and commercial sectors:

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