The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) has made a significant impact on the improvement of our nation's water quality. The NPDES permit program is authorized by Clean Water Act section 402. The 1987 Water Quality Act expanded the program to cover stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and industrial sources. Many states administer the NPDES program with state statutory and EPA authorization. The MS4 NPDES permits require regulated municipalities to use Best Management Practices to reduce pollutants to the Maximum Extent Practicable.
In 1990, Phase I of the NPDES stormwater program was established. It required NPDES permit coverage for large or medium municipalities that had populations of 100,000 or more. Nine years later (1999), Phase II of the NPDES Stormwater program was signed into law. This regulation builds upon the existing Phase I program by requiring smaller communities, also known as small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), to be permitted, and develop and implement a comprehensive stormwater management program that includes six minimum measures.
Businesses conduct activities that are sources of pollutants in stormwater runoff. Inspections help to reduce the amount of Pollutants entering our stormwater as well as help to educate the local Businesses of BMP or Best Management Practices. BMP's create Point of source control, reducing the non-stormwater waste polluting our water.
The California Stormwater Quality Association has Stormwater Best Management Practice Handbooks for Commercial/Industrial, Municipal, Construction, and Residential areas.
For more information about stormwater pollution prevention visit.
sbcountystormwater.org
To determine whether or not your business is required to pay the annual NPDES fee, please contact the Community Development Department at (909) 824-6621 ext 213.
The Annual NPDES Inspection Fee is $80.00 per Section 4.108.010 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code.