Stormwater - Industrial General Permit

General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (Industrial General Permit):

Section 402 p of the Federal Clean Water Act requires industries that fall under certain Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and that discharge stormwater into a storm drain system or to surface waters to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In California, these industrial facilities may comply with the Clean Water Act Section 402 p by applying for coverage under the State's General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (Industrial General Permit) or by applying for an individual NPDES Permit.

The Industrial General Permit is an NPDES permit that regulates stormwater discharges from any facility associated with 10 broad categories of industrial activities. These categories of industrial activities are based on the SIC codes. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (collectively, the Water Boards) enforce the Industrial General Permit.

The Industrial General Permit requires the implementation of Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) and Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT) to achieve performance standards, as well as the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and a monitoring plan. The SWPPP identifies the site-specific sources of pollutants and describes the best management practices implemented at the facility to prevent dry weather runoff and to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges.

Annually, dischargers are to submit an ad hoc report, and an annual report to the Water Board via the online data base system SMARTS. SMARTS stands for Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System.

Los Angeles River

STORMWATER PROGRAM CONTACTS: