Environmental Questions & Answers

Confused about stormwater sample holding times?

When it comes to taking stormwater samples used for testing, monitoring, or to be analyzed by a lab, many people out there aren't aware of the various instructions that must be followed. One of the most common rules that must be followed involves what are called "holding times" for stormwater samples. This concept trips a lot of people up. If you're unaware of what holding times are, trust me, you're not alone. Many people who have NPDES permits, or any other type of stormwater or process water discharge permit need to make sure they understand what holding times, otherwise they risk having invalid samples or running into trouble.

Everything concrete producers you should know about NPDES stormwater permits & concrete plants.

When it comes to concrete plants, whether it’s a ready-mix operation, precast concrete plant, brick, block, pipe plant, you name it, one of the most common problems producers have to deal with is stormwater permits. Concrete plants of all shapes and sizes across the US often struggle with their NPDES stormwater discharge permits. How come?

Learn about costs associated with the Florida Multi-Sector Generic Stormwater Permit.

If you need to get covered under the Florida MSGP, it's natural to wonder what it's going to cost you and your business. When running a business, people always say you need to spend money to make money. Another thing to consider is you need to spend money to stay out of trouble (aka, stay in compliance). You need to invest time and money to ensure you remain on the right side of any rules or regulations or laws that apply to you, and that includes the Multi-Sector Generic Stormwater Permit in Florida.

Here's how to do a stormwater visual inspection.

Nearly every NPDES stormwater discharge permit in the United States, from the Federal Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) to state MSGPs and other state-specific stormwater discharge permits, a very common requirement in many of them is that permit holders (that means you) conduct "visual monitoring" of their stormwater discharges.

Learn why the right water testing lab for stormwater or process waste water matters!

In today's age, running a business comes with a lot of responsibilities. One thing we see tightening up more and more, whether it's pressure from 3rd party environmental groups or government regulators, is your environmental responsibilities. Just about anyone across this country that owns or operates any type of industrial facility has probably heard of NPDES stormwater permits. If you haven’t heard of them, read What are NPDES stormwater permits?

Learn the difference between stormwater and process waste water.

When it comes to NPDES permits, whether you're in New Jersey, Florida, Hawaii, you name it, there's a huge difference with regards to stormwater and process water. Most, if not all, NPDES permits have very strict and specific regulations for stormwater and process water.

No Discharge on a DMR? Learn if you're putting yourself at risk.

Having a NPDES stormwater permit means having responsibilities, such as doing your regular stormwater sample reporting, usually via a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), which can be a very intimidating task. Particularly, now that electronic reporting is a requirement and is being implemented almost everywhere in the US.

The entire DMR process is now confusing, complicated, poorly functioning, full of "codes" and more headaches. So what should you do if you don't get a stormwater sample? If you're tempted to enter "NODI" or "no discharge" on that DMR, you should think twice.