STORMWATER COMPLIANCE
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For more information and additional compliance assistance, call (951) 955-1400.
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Purpose
The purpose of this “Stormwater Compliance Requirement” information brochure is to provide business owners and operators of industrial and commercial facilities with a better understanding of Riverside County, State and Federal Industrial-Commercial stormwater related requirements. Federal and State requirements mandate the County of Riverside to implement a business-facilities stormwater compliance-inspection program. In order to comply with this mandate, the Environmental Compliance Division of the Department of Building and Safety began conducting business-facility site inspections in 2008. An initial site inspection will be performed and an inspection priority designation will be assigned. Inspections are based of your business Standard Industrial Classification code; therefore they are the requirement of businesses and not the property owner or management company. This is not a property inspection, but an inspection of your business practices.
Stormwater and Pollutants
Stormwater is a term used to describe water that originates during precipitation events. Pollutants can contaminate stormwater flows that then enter drainage systems and local receiving waters. These pollutants remain untreated and degrade our water quality and harm aquatic life. Therefore business owners must eliminate non-stormwater discharges and implement Best Management Practices BMP’s to continually reduce pollutant sources associated with their everyday business activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click one of the questions below to view the answer.
What is a Stormwater Compliance Inspection?
A stormwater compliance inspection is an on-site evaluation of how business related functions such as outdoor activities, outdoor equipment, outdoor materials, and wastes are being managed in order to protect water quality. A stormwater compliance inspection will be conducted to determine the business-facilities current stormwater compliance and to establish a facility priority classification and frequency for subsequent inspections. Inspections will be conducted by the Department of Building and Safety Environmental Compliance Division. Subsequent stormwater compliance inspections will be conducted based on the prioritization assigned at the initial inspection.
Will I be charged for the inspection?
Yes, all businesses will be required to pay an inspection deposit of $196.50. This deposit is based upon an estimated processing and inspection time of 1.5 hours at the hourly rate of $131 per hour, as established by County Ordinance. We will only use the amount of deposit necessary to conduct the inspection, any unused deposited fees will be returned upon completion of the inspection. Hourly rates are determined and used by most agencies and businesses. Examples of hourly rates and usage include Mechanics, Plumbers, Lawyers, and Engineers etc.
How often will my business be inspected for stormwater compliance?
An initial stormwater quality inspection will be completed to determine permit compliance and prioritization. Businesses will be prioritized as low, medium or high to designate the site?s potential impact on water quality. Subsequent business-facility stormwater compliance inspections will be conducted based on the following schedule listed below. This schedule is required by State and County NPDES Permit requirements.
Low priority classifications require a compliance inspection every 5 years
Medium priority classifications require a compliance inspection every 2 years
High priority classificatios require a compliance inspection every year.
*Note: If a business has violations, follow up inspections will be required.
What will the inspector look for at my business?
The inspector will observe and document the flowing items at your business:
Vehicles and equipment
Trash enclosures and trash processing
Material storage areas
Outdoor industrial and/or commercial activities
Planters and Vegetation
Standard Industrial Classification Observations
Loading and Unloading areas
Storm Drains and/or Drainage Areas
Implementation of Best Management Practices (WWW.CASQA.ORG)
What if I have no materials, equipment, or activities exposed to stormwater and my business has no violations?
Businesses demonstrating no stormwater exposure for process activities, equipment, material storage, waste areas, loading and receiving areas, etc. (because they are under permanent cover, or indoors), will be established as a low priority facility. This can only be certified by the County of Riverside and a business owner may not self-certify this for their business. A priority will be established by an inspector which will determine future inspection frequencies. You can discuss your priority with the assigned inspector at time of inspection.
How can I prepare for my inspection?
Start by familiarizing yourself with potential and actual sources of pollutants at your business. Observe storm drains and nearby waterways that could receive drainage from your facility. Determine whether materials, equipment or activities are in contact with stormwater. Consider what will happen to exposed pollutants when it rains at your facility; such as oil, grease, cement, sediment, chemicals, food waste, etc. that are either dumped or stored in outdoor, unprotected locations.
Remove all materials, equipment, activities, and wastes from contact with storm water and become stormwater educated by visiting http://www.cabmphandbooks.com
Stormwater Compliance Inspection Program
