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Services: NPDES
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimiation System
The Clean Water Act and NPDES Permits
In California, the Environmental Protection Agency delegates enforcement of the Clean Water Act to the California Water Resources Board. The state issues permits, regulates pollution prevention and has the authority to issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to public agencies. Examples of agencies required to obtain permits include:
- Cities
- Counties
- Flood control districts
- Port districts
The goal of an NPDES permit is to protect the beneficial uses of the waterways and ocean from storm water pollution in accordance with the Clean Water Act.
Municipal Liability
It is the responsibility of the responsibility of the permittees to ensure that the public, property owners and business owners understand the need to implement the best management practices to reduce the amount of pollutants in storm water. Not complying with all the requirements outlined an NPDES permit could result in heavy fines and litigation. The Clean Water Act allows fines of up to $25,000 per day, every day that an agency is in non-compliance. Several public agencies in California have lost court cases or negotiated settlements out of court. In general, these agencies must now implement programs more stringent than found in their original NPDES permits.
However implementing NPDES programs without consideration of the effects to all concerned parties can have negative impacts as well. Heavy handed enforcement of a NPDES permit could result in fewer businesses locating into a community and poor public perception.
Both side have valid concerns. Decision makers who are trying to balance the needs of their community and the enviromental concerns can be overwhelmed by the requirements. A balance between public education and enforcement must be established.
Storm Water Pollution Prevention
Day to day activities cause storm water pollution. Examples of pollution sources include: construction sites, leaking vehicles, trash dumpsters, loading docks, improper materials storage, agriculture or horticulture, home improvements and dumping of pollutants directly into the street or storm drains. Therefore, pollution prevention requires multi- faceted programs to reduce pollution from public fleet maintenance yards, parks, or improvement projects. Other day to day activities must not allow water to come into contact with pollution sources. Preventing pollution does not mean stopping operations. However, it does mean that public agencies must inform residents, businesses, employees and contractors about Best Management Practices and good housekeeping. This large array of requirements can overwhelm already strained staff and budgets.
Charles Abbott Associates, Inc., has helped many public agencies with NPDES permit implementation and compliance. Our staff provides support in many ways.
Public Education
Our staff can develop and distribute public education materials appropriate to a community's needs. Using a variety of media, staff can promote programs that result in compliance with he law and practical information for residents and businesses.
Technical Assistance
Many business require assistance with implementing pollution prevention programs, or require direction on developing good housekeeping practices. Our staff can develop and implement programs to assist and motivate the businesses in your community.
Program Development
Every pollution problem is not the same. Different pollution sources need individual solutions to stop storm water contamination. Our staff can analyze the pollution sources and develop programs unique to the problem.
Ordinance Review and Assessment
Many times the ability to prevent pollution results in the ability to enforce the permit requirements. Staff can evaluate the appropriate administrative procedures and ordinances and develop some options. This allows long term solutions to the existing pollution sources and prevent new ones from developing.
Code Enforcement and Abatement
Our highly qualified staff has developed seminars and training for code enforcement and abatement procedures. These skills can be applied to pollution prevention, as well.
Multi Jurisdiction Coordination
The success of a pollution prevention program depends on good communication between state, county and local agencies, among departments within agencies, and from those particularly with the public. This may include reporting requirements, meetings and other forms of communication. Staff can evaluate existing resources, analyze weakness, and recommend additional alternatives.
Storm water pollution prevention has economic and recreational value, as well as environmental benefits. California depends on clean ocean and rivers. Our staff develops long term solutions that result in cleaner water now and for future generations.
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