Industrial Stormwater

Overview of Industrial Stormwater Program

The industrial stormwater program is part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and is intended to preserve, protect, and restore surface water quality. Stormwater runoff is a leading source of water quality impairment in Arizona and nationwide. Stormwater leaving industrial sites is often conveyed by storm sewer systems directly to rivers and streams without any treatment, which can degrade water quality, habitat, and limit recreational uses. 

Activities such as material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, industrial processing and other operations that occur at industrial facilities are often exposed to stormwater. The runoff from these activities can result in the discharge of pollutants directly into nearby water bodies or indirectly through storm sewer systems. Industrial runoff is also known to create physical hazards that pose drainage problems because the runoff carries pollutants from driveways, parking lots, open containers, and soiled equipment.

The key to compliance with the MSGP is to keep pollutants out of stormwater through the use of proper pollution prevention practices. These practices or control measures are site specific and based on the nature of the activities and types of pollutants potentially exposed to and transported by stormwater.

Compliance

Environmental Management Program staff conduct annual comprehensive inspections of the City Yard and Pulliam Airport to ensure compliance with all State and Federal stormwater regulations and adherence to the site's stormwater pollution prevention and spill prevention, control, and countermeasures plans. Staff also respond in the event of any reported spill incidents on these properties to ensure prompt and proper cleanup per the regulations.

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