Construction Stormwater Program

Announcements

NEW! Preliminary staff draft of the statewide Construction Stormwater General Permit and virtual public workshops
- Public Notice
NEW! Help Guide for using U.S. EPA’s updated Rainfall Erosivity Factor Calculator
NEW! Guidance for compliance with the Construction Stormwater General Permit in areas impacted by wildfires

The Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ, has been administratively extended until a new order is adopted and becomes effective

Dischargers whose projects disturb one (1) or more acres of soil or whose projects disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ. Construction activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling, or excavation, but does not include regular maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility.

The Construction General Permit requires the development of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) by a certified Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD). Many California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists (CBPELSG) have self-certified. In addition the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) has a lookup tool to find licensed QSDs: CASQA QSP/QSD Lookup Tool.

Introduction to the Construction General Permit You Tube video
Statewide Construction General Permit - Frequently Asked Questions
If you need coverage you will need to apply in the Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System: (SMARTS Database)
If you need public access to storm water data go to the SMARTS login page and click on ‘Public Access to NOI, SWPPPs & Annual Reports data’

Linear projects disturbing one or more acres of land must obtain coverage under the Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ.

The Lahontan Regional Water Board (Regional Water Board 6SLT) has adopted its own permit to regulate storm water discharges from construction activity in the Lake Tahoe Hydrologic Unit. Owners of construction projects in this watershed must apply for the Regional Water Board permit rather than the statewide Construction General Permit. Construction projects within the Lake Tahoe Hydrologic Unit must comply with the Construction General NPDES Permit for the Lake Tahoe Basin (R6T-2011-0019) for remainder of 2016. Construction General NPDES Permit for the Lake Tahoe Basin (R6T -2016-0010, effective January 1, 2017).

The existing Construction Stormwater General Permit expired September 2, 2014 and has been administratively extended until the State Water Board adopts a permit reissuance and the new permit becomes effective. The State Water Board is proposing to reissue the Construction Stormwater General Permit. More information can be found at the link below:
Proposed Reissuance of the Statewide Construction Stormwater General Permit