Industrial Stormwater Permitting and Compliance

Who Needs an Industrial Stormwater Permit?

Stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity are required to be covered under an NPDES permit. You can view a description of Stormwater discharges associated with Industrial Activities to see if your facility requires a permit. The Department may also designate other facilities as requiring a permit, particularly where there is a potential for storm water contamination.

How do I determine my facility’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code?

The SIC code system is maintained by the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and is available for searching at www.osha.gov/oshstats/sicser.html

Construction activities associated with industrial stormwater are covered under a separate permit and do not require an industrial stormwater permit. Once construction is completed, a facility which is an industrial activity (except construction) would require additional coverage under the industrial storm water general NPDES permit.

Industrial Stormwater General Permit

Many facilities are eligible for coverage under the general permit (PDF). The current general permit is applicable through 2008. DHEC will notify facilities about how to keep approved permit status prior to the 2008 expiration date.

Notice of Intent (NoI)

If your facility requires an industrial stormwater permit, you will need to complete and submit a Notice of Intent form to SC DHEC.

In accordance with regulations and NoI instructions, signatures on the NOI must be from an officer of the corporation, a proprietor, or appropriate government official (as pertinent) or the plant manager.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

The permit will include a requirement that the facility develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to be kept on the facility site.

Monitoring of storm water is another requirement for many facilities required to have a permit. The facilities which are required to monitor and the specific monitoring requirements are stated in the permit.

No Exposure Exemption

If industrial materials or activities are not exposed to stormwater, an exemption from the permit can be requested. This “no exposure” exclusion does not apply to construction activities.
Get a copy of the no exposure certification form.

The condition of no exposure must be maintained by keeping all industrial materials or activities protected at all times. If “no exposure” conditions are not maintained, the operator must immediately apply for an NPDES stormwater permit as noted above. The no exposure exemption is good for five years.

View an EPA guidance document on applying and meeting requirements for no exposure certification.

Fees and Permit Renewals

General Permit

There is an annual fee of $75 for coverage under the general permit. The fee must accompany the NOI. Fees are based on the fiscal year of July 1 st through June 30 th. There is no prorating of the fee for coverage for a portion of the year. The annual fee is billed about the middle of August each year, for continuing coverage.

Coverage under the general permit is automatically granted nine days after the postmark of the NOI unless the Department notifies the applicant differently. The Department has the authority to request the submission of the SWPPP for review and approval before granting general permit coverage, or at other times. Alternately, the Department has the authority to require an individual permit application be submitted for issuance of an individual permit in lieu of granting general permit coverage.

No Exposure Certification

There is a $350.00 fee due with the no exposure certification form. Once approved, no exposure certification is good for five years. At that time, resubmittal of the form and fee will be required.

Notice of Termination

Completion and submittal of a Notice of Termination (NOT) is required when any of the following occurs:

Where to Apply

NOIs are submitted to the Department at the following address:
SC DHEC
Attn: Mel Leaphart
Outreach, Stormwater, Agricultural and Dams Permitting
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Links

General Permit (PDF)
Applications and Forms
EPA Stormwater

Contacts

Permitting - Mel Leaphart at 803-898-4143

Compliance - Connie Anderson at 803-898-4148

Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us