Industrial Activity

INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY

What is it about industrial activity that can cause water quality problems?

Industries can affect water quality in two ways:

......(1) through the direct discharge of their process wastewater, and

......(2) through storm water which comes into contact with chemicals and other pollutants at
...........the site and then washes offsite.

Most all industries are aware that the direct "end of pipe" discharge of wastewater from their industrial process requires a permit, issued by the state (or, if the discharge is to the City's sanitary sewer system, issued by the City's Pretreatment section). However, many industries may not be aware that storm water runoff from their facility is also subject to regulation.

Storm water flows over and through an industrial facility, picking up pollutants from outdoor spills and leaking or dirty objects and taking these pollutants to our bayous, lakes and rivers.

What is required at industrial facilities, in order to prevent storm water pollution?

Federal, state and city regulations now require certain classes of industries to obtain storm water permits and to implement pollution prevention practices.

Who needs an industrial storm water permit?

The State of Louisiana and the City of Shreveport now require certain industrial facilities that have Storm Water Associated With industrial activity to be covered by a permit.

The rules that define who needs a permit can be found at Title 33 Section 3241. B. 14. a-k. of the Louisiana Administrative Code.

The rules may appear somewhat complex and confusing; however, the list below is a simplified guide to assist you to determine if your facility needs a permit. The list uses "SIC" codes to determine if you may need a storm water permit. If you do not know your facility's SIC code, the link Standard Industrial Classification Index can help you. Or, just call us at 673-6583 we'll be glad to assist.

• 1011 thru 1499, mining and mineral extraction
• 2011 thru 3999, manufacturing
• 4011* thru 4581*, transportation
*If facility has vehicle maintenance shops, equipment cleaning operations, fueling, or air port de-icing operations.
• 5015, automobile junkyards
• 5093, metal scrap yards
• 5171, petroleum bulk stations

Additionally, the following types of facilities are required to have storm water permits:

• Hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities.
• Landfills, land application sites, and open dumps.
• Steam electric power generating facilities, including coal handling sites.

Possible Exemption from permit requirement

Industries that fall under the above categories may be exempt from having to obtain an industrial storm water permit if they do not have Storm Water associated with industrial activity.

A Certification of Non- Exposure is available to those who fall under this category. The certificate will take you through a series of questions concerning the facility, finishing with a certification statement.

If your facility qualifies, you don't have to obtain a permit. You are required to send the Certification of Non Exposure to the state with a copy to the city. The certification must be renewed every five years.

How do you get permitted?

The state offers coverage for facilities with storm water associated with industrial activity under the State Multi-Sector General Permit.

To get coverage under this permit you must complete a Notice of Intent (NOI). The NOI requires information regarding the owner/operator of the facility, location of the facility (including longitude and latitude), receiving waters, SIC code, existing permits, and other information.

The completed NOI is then sent to the DEQ with a copy going to the City of Shreveport. Once the permit certification has been sent to your facility, you are required to send a copy of it also to the address below:

City of Shreveport
Storm Water Section
1237 Murphy Street, Suite 102
Shreveport, LA 71101

What are your obligations under this permit?

The applicant must develop and maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) as a requirement of this permit.

The EPA has developed a guidance manual to assist in the development of your SWP3, entitled Storm Water Management for Industrial Activities, Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices.

Completion of the SWP3 is required when the NOI is submitted. A copy or a synopsis of the SP3 must be sent to the city at the address above.