TDEC 2020 NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit

TDEC 2020 NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit

June 10, 2020 – TDEC plans to renew the expired 2015 NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit for two years. This will allow continued coverage until 2022 for those facilities that were covered under the expired 2015 general permit. No additional notification will be required for those facilities.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) must still remain current. Many times facilities use a new permit as an opportunity to update the SWPPP, but the permit requires plan updates as follows (from 2015 TMSP Section 4.3):

• Annually, if necessary
• Whenever there is a change in design, construction, operation, or maintenance, that has a
  significant effect on the potential for the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the state;
• If the SWPPP proves to be ineffective in eliminating or significantly minimizing pollutants
  from sources identified under subpart 4.4 (Contents of the Plan) of this permit; or
• If the SWPPP proves to be ineffective in otherwise achieving the general objectives of
  controlling pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity.
• Whenever sampling indicates changes are needed to address monitoring results.

TDEC has decided to reissue the 2015 general permit instead of waiting for the final EPA NPDES permit to be issued later this year. More on this can be found here.

A public hearing will take place on July 6, 2020 at 1pm central. Details on how to participate can be found here.

If your facility was not covered under the 2015 general permit, then a Notice of Intent (NOI) must be filed to obtain coverage under the new permit once it is issued; however, TDEC can not authorize industrial stormwater discharge without a current permit. If this situation arises, contact your consultant for information on what your facility may be able to do until a permit is issued.