Why Stormwater Management is Important
Construction activities can play a major role in the degradation of water quality. Construction activities impact water quality by contributing discharges of sediment to streams, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies throughout the state. Sediment runoff rates from construction sites are 10 to 20 times greater than those from agricultural lands, and 1,000 to 2,000 times greater than those of forestlands. Discharges of sediment can degrade aquatic habitats, alter channel dynamics, and release high levels of nutrients and metals. Other pollutant sources associated with construction activities pose additional threats to water quality. These pollutant sources include chemicals, fuel, lubricants, and other toxic substances.

Stormwater Federal EPA Resource

• EPA – NPDES Stormwater Program

Erosion and Sediment Control
Eroded soil at construction sites can pollute rivers, streams and lakes via stormwater runoff. One way to keep this pollution to a minimum is by implementing erosion and sediment control structural best management practices. Erosion control devices make physical contact with the soil to prevent it from eroding. Examples are:

• Turf Reinforced Matting (TRM)
• Erosion Control Blankets
• Compost Blankets
• Tackifier
• Bonded Fiber Matrix

Sediment control is a method that traps or filters sediment that has eroded and is being carried by runoff. Examples are:

• Sediment Pond
• Silt Fence
• Straw Wattles

Successful stormwater management during construction contains erosion control to prevent soil from being dislodged AND sediment control to limit the amount of sediment transported offsite. (See Tips for Controlling Sediment at Construction Sites – PDF)

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Training
The NPDES permitting program offers training courses, workshops, and webinars to explain the regulatory framework and technical considerations of the NPDES permit program. These courses are designed for permit writers, dischargers, EPA officials, and other interested parties.

• Water-Related Training Opportunities – Provides links to other offices within EPA that provide training courses related to water quality issues.
• EPA – Stormwater Training Course – This course is strictly a general overview of the NPDES storm water program and oniy covers permit requirements for permits issued in areas where EPA is the permitting authority. Participants of the course who are located in areas where EPA is not the permitting authority will need to contact their state NPDES permitting authority for information regarding specific permit/program requirements.

Publications

• Utility Contractors
  Sediment is a major water pollutant and it is illegal to allow sediment to wash into our storm drains, ditches of creeks.
• Erosion & Sediment Control During Construction
• Do you have the State-issued Stormwater discharge permit for your construction site?
• Waste Management on Constructions Sites: What is Required?

Stormwater Abbreviations

• BMP – Best Management Practices
• CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
• CGP – Construction General Permit
• COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand
• CSO – Combined Sewer Overflow
• CWA – Clean Water Act (formerly referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972)
• D.O. – Dissolved Oxygen
• DMR – Discharge Monitoring Report
• ELG – Effluent Limitations Guidelines
• EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• FR – Federal Register
• MEP – Maximum Extent Practicable
• MS4 – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
• MSGP – Multi Sector General Permit
• NOI – Notice of Intent
• NOT – Notice of Termination
• NOV – Notice of Violation
• NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
• NPS – Non-point Source
• O&M – Operation and Maintenance
• OW – Office of Water
• OWM – Office of Wastewater Management
• PA – Permitting Authority
• PE – Public Education
• PI – Public Involvement
• POTW – Publicly Owned Treatment Works
• SIC – Standard Industrial Classification
• SWMP – Stormwater Management Program
• SWPPP (also SWP3) – Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
• TCEQ – Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• TMDL – Total Maximum Daily Load
• TSS – Total Suspended Solids
• UA – Urbanized Area