1. What is NPDES? “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System”
The Clean Water Act prohibits anybody from discharging "pollutants" through a "point source" into a "water of the United States" unless they have an NPDES permit. The permit will contain limits on what you can discharge, monitoring and reporting requirements, and other provisions to ensure that the discharge does not hurt water quality or people's health. In essence, the permit translates general requirements of the Clean Water Act into specific provisions tailored to the operations of each person discharging pollutants.

2. NPDES Backround 1972 Clean Water Act 1987
Administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Created NPDES permitting process
Multiple amendments
1987
An amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required EPA to develop phased program to regulate storm water discharges under NPDES program.

3. NPDES Storm Water Program
Point Source Pollution
Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as wastewater treatment plants or industrial facilities
Non-point Source Pollution
Discharges that are less easily identifiable such as runoff from urbanized or agricultural areas

4. NPDES in South Carolina
South Carolina is an NPDES delegated state.
NPDES regulations are administered by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Construction General Permit (CGP) is a component of NPDES.

5. NPDES Phase II Construction General Permit
Issued February of 2005; appealed
Appealed settled in late 2005
New Phase II CGP became effective on September 1, 2006
Existing or ongoing permitted projects will be grandfathered under old regulations and not have to meet Phase II CGP requirements

6. Who must obtain NPDES permit coverage?
All land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre.
Any disturbance within ½ mile of a receiving water body in the S.C. Coastal Zone (except individual single family homes not part of a subdivision development.)

7. Requirements of CGP
Develop and implement Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Identification of operators to be working onsite
Sequence of construction
Locations of all BMPs necessary to minimize pollutants in stormwater discharges to meet applicable water quality standards.
Locations of Surface Waters of the State
Must be in compliance with all other applicable permits or CGP is invalid.

8. Requirements of CGP
Must comply with Federal reporting requirements related to spills or releases or oils or other hazardous substances.
File Notice of Termination (NOT) when construction is complete
Retain all documentation required by permit for three years from time permit is terminated.

9. WHATS COMING

10. What’s Coming Small Municipal Separated Storm Sewer System (MSS4)
-Unfunded Mandate from EPA to DHEC to Local Government
-Six Elements of Program
--Public Education
--Public Involvement
--Illicit Discharge
--Construction Activities
--Post Construction
Municipal Activities

11. Public Education WHY How Increases Support for Program
Increases Compliance with Program
How
Newletters
Website Information
Training Programs
Brochures
Public Services Announcements

12. Public Participation & Involvement
Why
Educate Citizens
Forum for Reporting Problems
How
Public Notice Compliance Program
Citizen Panel Involvement
Community Clean-ups

13. Illicit Discharges, Detection & Elimination
Why
Improve Water Quality
How
Detection and Elimination Program
Outfall Map Preparation
Outfall Inspections
Used Oil Recycling Program

14. Construction Site Runoff
Why
It’s the Law of the Land
Site Runoff Carries Sediment and Pollution
Increasing Volume of Runoff Increases Flooding
How
Best Management Practices Requirements

15. Post-Construction Runoff Control
Why
Untreated Runoff Contains Oil/Greases, Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Fertilizers and Pet Waste
How
Maintaining BMPs from Construction Phase
Retrofitting BMPs that are not Working
Non-Structural BMPs (Education, Pet Waste Pickup, Proper Use of Fertilizer and Pesticides)

16. Municipal Activities-Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping
Why
County Maintains Roads, Ditches, Parks Landfill ect
How
Operations and Maintenance Pollution Prevention Plan
Employee Training Programs
Information Management System
Park and Open Space Maintenance Procedures