What NPDES Consulting Actually Looks Like... and Whether RMA Is the Right Fit for Your Facility
If you're dealing with an NPDES permit, there's a good chance you're trying to figure out what this actually looks like in practice.
Do you need a permit? Do you already have one but aren’t sure if it’s set up correctly? Do you need a SWPPP? Are you supposed to be submitting reports? Are you doing something wrong without realizing it?
The truth is, most facilities don’t come into this with a clear roadmap. They just know something probably applies, and they want to make sure they’re not missing anything that could cause problems later.
So instead of giving you a textbook explanation of NPDES, let’s walk through what this actually looks like in the real world: how companies typically come to us, what we actually do, what we don’t do, and how to figure out if we’re the right fit.
If you'd rather just talk through your situation, you can reach out to us here and we’ll sort through it with you.
Table of Contents
The Different Situations Facilities Are In When They Reach Out
There’s no single “starting point” with NPDES and stormwater needs. Most facilities come to us in one of a few common situations.
When You’re Not Sure What Applies
This is probably the most common reason industrial and commercial operations reach out to us. Something changed, like, maybe you expanded operations. Maybe you added material storage outside. Maybe you took over a new facility in another state. Maybe someone internally raised a question about stormwater flow or discharges.
There’s usually a general sense that "water regulations might apply", but no one is completely sure what that means or how serious it is. In that situation, we start by helping you figure out:
- Whether NPDES permit coverage is required, meaning either a general permit, individual permit, or possibly a non-exposure certification
- Whether your site has regulated stormwater discharges
- Whether process or wastewater rules apply due to the processes you're engaging in
If this is the case, we are really starting from scratch. Learning about your facility, operation, etc. We're doing what we can to quickly figure out what you need.
When You Know You Need a Permit (or Already Have One)
Other times, the situation is more defined. You might already know you:
- Need to obtain a new NPDES permit, meaning get you permit coverage with whatever your state's regulatory agency calls their NPDES program
- Need to renew or modify an existing permit, so your permit accurately covers what you're doing at your specific location
- Have been told by an agency or internal team that something is required.
In these cases, the work becomes pretty straightforward. We understand some of the need right out of the gate, can easily define the scope, gather the right information, and make sure everything is completed correctly and defensibly.
When You Need a SWPPP or Supporting Documentation
A lot of facilities come to us because they need a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
Sometimes they don’t have one at all. Sometimes they have one that hasn’t been updated in years. Sometimes they have one that technically, exists but doesn’t actually reflect what’s happening on site. That’s a problem, because your SWPPP is supposed to match your real-world operations - and most permits are going to require you have one (or something similarly named).
So how do we help? We build or update these plans so they are:
- Accurate to your facility
- Defensible during inspections
- Actually usable by your team
And it's really as simple as that. We've developed thousands of documents that adhere to state specific regulations, so whether you need a SWPPP, SWP3, SPPP, PPC, DCP, or anything else along those lines, we can help make sure that documentation is rock solid.
When You Want to Tighten Up Your NPDES Compliance & Program
And some facilities already have their permits and plans in place... but things feel loose, or a little wonky. Maybe inspections aren’t consistent. Maybe your sample results are coming back too high. Maybe reporting is getting missed. Maybe responsibilities just aren’t clearly defined. Maybe you stepped into a new role and just aren't 100% sure what's expected, or required!
In those cases, the focus shifts from “getting compliant” to staying compliant in a way that works long-term. And yes, we help with this too!
How RMA’s NPDES Permitting and Compliance Process Works
Step One: The Initial Conversation
Everything starts with a conversation. You might fill out a form. You might send an email. You might call. However you prefer to start, we’ll talk through what’s going on. This is a real, practical back-and-forth, not a sales pitch. We’ll ask you basics about your operations, what’s happening on site, what prompted you to reach out, and where you stand currently (compliance wise).
On the flip side, you can ask us anything (process, timing, cost, expectations) about our services. If you don’t need anything, we’ll tell you. If you do, we’ll explain what the path forward looks like.
Step Two: Defining Scope, Timeline, and Cost
If it makes sense to move forward, we’ll discuss this with you and put together a Service Agreement. Some call it a contract, some call it an agreement, regardless, it outlines exactly what we’re going to do, what we need from you, whether a site visit is required, how long it will take, and most importantly... what it will cost!
No ambiguity or sneaky hidden clauses, just our gameplan on paper. Once that’s signed, we’re on your team.
Step Three: Site Work, Documentation, Permitting, and Delivery
For many projects, a site visit is a critical part of the process. Why? Because you usually can’t fully understand drainage, discharge points, and operational impacts from behind a desk. When we’re on site, we’ll:
- Walk the property with you, corner to corner, inside and out
- Identify discharge locations and flow paths so we can (defensively) be able to explain where water leaves your facility
- Observe operations that affect stormwater or wastewater, which could in turn impact water quality
- Review existing controls and practices so your facility does what it needs to, correctly, to stay in compliance long-term
Sometimes we can skip the site visit and complete the work remotely, it just depends on the complexity of your project and the setup of your operation.
Regardless, once we have what we need, we complete the work based on your scope. That might include:
- Preparing and submitting an NPDES permit application to your state agency
- Developing or updating a SWPPP (or whatever your state refers to it as)
- Supporting permit modifications or renewals (if and when needed)
- Setting up compliance systems and documentation (we throw in free training, too)
At the end of the process, you'll have the correct permit, proper documentation, and a rock solid understanding of longer term compliance obligations
Step Four: Ongoing Support (If You Want It)
Some companies just need help with a specific project. Once it’s done, they take it from there. Others want ongoing support. That might include:
- Annual reports or DMRs
- Periodic inspections
- Monitoring oversight
- Permit renewals
- General program management
In those cases, we essentially act as your outsourced NPDES compliance team. Totally optional, but it can be really useful for companies that just want to pass things off and forget about them. Think of it like outsourcing HR, legal, or accounting activities!
What We Do (and What We Don’t Do) for Stormwater Permitting & NPDES Services
We've hinted at this already, but let's be very clear here, because this is where a lot of confusion happens.
What We Do
- Obtain, renew, and modify NPDES/stormwater permits
- Develop and update SWPPPs and other required documents
- Support compliance programs and reporting
- Help interpret sampling requirements and results
- Strengthen your overall water compliance system
Who We Help
Figured this would be helpful as well, but we tend to mostly help small to medium sized industrial operations, and commercial operations of all sizes.
What We Don’t Do
- We do not handle construction stormwater permits for active construction sites. If you're looking for help with a construction project, we are not the right firm for your needs.
- We are not a laboratory that analyzes samples in-house
- We do not collect water samples for companies
We work alongside those services, but we’re really focused on permitting, compliance, and program structure development.
Is RMA the Right Fit for Your Facility's NPDES & Stormwater Needs?
We're not the right fit for everyone, and we know it. Our goal is not to be everything to everyone. So where do we land?
If I had to describe it, I would say we are a very strong fit for small to mid-sized industrial facilities, with NPDES permitting needs, typically general industrial permits, individual permits, and non-exposure certifications.
We work best with industrial and commercial facilities and organizations that have real regulatory responsibilities. In the NPDES context, that often means facilities with stormwater discharges, wastewater discharges, or both. It also includes organizations that need permit coverage, renewals, modifications, SWPPPs, reporting support, or help improving the structure of their overall compliance program.
These types of businesses are often large enough to face meaningful compliance obligations, but lean enough that they need outside expertise, not full in-house teams. They're usually looking for clear direction, solid technical work, and systems that hold up over time, and that's where we can step in.
We Are Not a Fit for the Extremes
If you don't need NPDES support at all, we'll tell you. There's no value in creating work that doesn't need to exist. Part of our job is helping facilities understand when requirements apply, and equally importantly, when they don't. So if you're too small or it's not worth hiring us, we're not going to be a good fit.
At the other end of the spectrum, if you are a massive organization with highly complex global programs, hundreds of facilities, or a need for a very large enterprise-level consulting structure, you will likely need a different type of firm. Some organizations need large teams, deep specialization by media and region, and a consulting model built for that scale. That's simply not how we're structured.
If you're unsure where you fall, just ask. We'll be honest.
How Much Do NPDES & Stormwater Services Cost?
NPDES services, and their pricing, varies (a lot) depending on what you actually need. A facility seeking a new individual permit and supporting documentation will have different needs than a facility requesting a permit modification or seeking a non-exposure certification. Conversely, a SWPPP update, getting help with recurring Discharge Monitoring Reports, or training, all these things will cost you money, but they'll range in price
We've found that for many facilities, the most common need is a new NPDES permit along with required supporting documentation (such as a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan). And that's exactly what the pricing calculator below is designed to help with. It gives you a quick snapshot of likely cost without requiring an email address or personal information.
If your situation or needs are more specialized, the calculator above may not tell the whole story, but our NPDES pricing page can still be valuable since it explains the main cost drivers and helps frame the conversation.
Final Thoughts on Getting NPDES & Stormwater Consulting Services
At a high level, RMA supports industrial facilities that need their NPDES compliance handled clearly, correctly, and without unnecessary complexity.
That work often includes NPDES permitting, SWPPP development and updates, permit renewals and modifications, and ongoing support with reporting, inspections, and broader water compliance programs. Depending on your needs, that may be a one-time project or an ongoing relationship where we help manage your program over time. Either way, we're here to help.
Our process is straightforward and starts with a simple conversation after you reach out. From there, if it makes sense to move forward, we define the scope, timeline, and cost upfront. Then we gather the necessary information, complete the work, and deliver something that is not only technically sound, but also practical for your team to implement and maintain.
If that sounds like your situation, the next step is simple. Reach out to start the conversation. We'll help you understand what applies, what your options are, and whether we are the right fit. From there, we can map out a clear path forward and take it from there.
