Tony Shelton
BS Detector, Esquire
There is a general misunderstanding as to what an NPDES permit is and what it actually covers.
First of all it is a PERMIT. That means it give PERMIssion for an activity.
In the case of an NPDES permit it gives the holder PERMISSION to dump into the storm drain system or MS4
The NPDES permit allows for a certain amount of contaminants to enter the waterway. That amount varies by region.
What can go down the drain with no permit at all? Here is the list:
Water line flushing;
Diverted stream flows;
Rising ground waters;
Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration (infiltration is defined as
water other than wastewater that enters a sewer system, including
sewer service connections and foundation drains, from the ground
through such means as defective pipes, pipe joints, connections, or
manholes. Infiltration does not include, and is distinguished from,
inflow.);
Discharges from potable water sources;
Foundation and footing drains;
Air conditioning condensate;
Irrigation water for lawns and landscaping;
Springs;
Water from crawl space pumps;
Individual residential car washing;
Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;
De-chlorinated swimming pool discharges;
Street wash water, i f no detergents or chemicals are used;
Discharges or flows from fire fighting activities; and
Dewatering activities not requiring separate discharge permits
Under the permit is it allowable for other entities to introduce non-stormwater discharges into the storm drain UNDER the protection of this permit? YES. As long as you aren't othewise classified as an industry that requires it's OWN NDPES permit. (and that is us ladies and Gentlemen)
This permit authorizes the Permittees to accept from other dischargers,to pass through their MS4s, and to discharge stormwater and nonstormwater currently covered or required to be covered under another
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit.The permittees shall implement on those discharges into their MS4s the measures required by this permit. This permit does not authorize any non-Permittees to discharge into the MS4 any stormwater or non-stormwater that requires a separate NPDES permit. Those non-Permittees must obtain their own NPDES permits to cover discharges through the Permittees' MS4s into waters
of the United States
You see, the permit ALLOWS the entire CITY to discharge a pre determined amount into the storm drain system.
It does require the city to make BMP's to help keep the contaminants down but it does not in any way make an absolute prohibition on anything going down the drain but rain. That is a fallacy and a cute sales slogan.
Here is the permit. Please take the time to take a look at this. Realize this is a PERMIT which means it gives PERMISSION.
I open the board for any questions or discussion. I'll answer everything I can.
http://acequia.ccrfcd.org/pdf_arch1/NPDES/Clark%20County%20MS4%20Permit%202010-2015.pdf
First of all it is a PERMIT. That means it give PERMIssion for an activity.
In the case of an NPDES permit it gives the holder PERMISSION to dump into the storm drain system or MS4
The NPDES permit allows for a certain amount of contaminants to enter the waterway. That amount varies by region.
What can go down the drain with no permit at all? Here is the list:
Water line flushing;
Diverted stream flows;
Rising ground waters;
Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration (infiltration is defined as
water other than wastewater that enters a sewer system, including
sewer service connections and foundation drains, from the ground
through such means as defective pipes, pipe joints, connections, or
manholes. Infiltration does not include, and is distinguished from,
inflow.);
Discharges from potable water sources;
Foundation and footing drains;
Air conditioning condensate;
Irrigation water for lawns and landscaping;
Springs;
Water from crawl space pumps;
Individual residential car washing;
Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;
De-chlorinated swimming pool discharges;
Street wash water, i f no detergents or chemicals are used;
Discharges or flows from fire fighting activities; and
Dewatering activities not requiring separate discharge permits
Under the permit is it allowable for other entities to introduce non-stormwater discharges into the storm drain UNDER the protection of this permit? YES. As long as you aren't othewise classified as an industry that requires it's OWN NDPES permit. (and that is us ladies and Gentlemen)
This permit authorizes the Permittees to accept from other dischargers,to pass through their MS4s, and to discharge stormwater and nonstormwater currently covered or required to be covered under another
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit.The permittees shall implement on those discharges into their MS4s the measures required by this permit. This permit does not authorize any non-Permittees to discharge into the MS4 any stormwater or non-stormwater that requires a separate NPDES permit. Those non-Permittees must obtain their own NPDES permits to cover discharges through the Permittees' MS4s into waters
of the United States
You see, the permit ALLOWS the entire CITY to discharge a pre determined amount into the storm drain system.
It does require the city to make BMP's to help keep the contaminants down but it does not in any way make an absolute prohibition on anything going down the drain but rain. That is a fallacy and a cute sales slogan.
Here is the permit. Please take the time to take a look at this. Realize this is a PERMIT which means it gives PERMISSION.
I open the board for any questions or discussion. I'll answer everything I can.
http://acequia.ccrfcd.org/pdf_arch1/NPDES/Clark%20County%20MS4%20Permit%202010-2015.pdf
