Virginia Administrative Code
Title 9 - ENVIRONMENT
Agency 25 - STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD
Chapter 875 - VIRGINIA EROSION AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REGULATION
Part VII - Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permits
Article 3 - Permit Applications
Section 9VAC25-875-950 - Stormwater discharges

Universal Citation: 9 VA Admin Code 9VAC25-875-950

Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024

A. Permit requirements.

1. Prior to October 1, 1994, discharges composed entirely of stormwater shall not be required to obtain a permit except:

a. A discharge with respect to which a permit has been issued prior to February 4, 1987;

b. A stormwater discharge associated with large construction activity;

c. A discharge from a large municipal separate storm sewer system;

d. A discharge from a medium municipal separate storm sewer system; or

e. A discharge that either the department or the regional administrator determines to contribute to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters. This designation may include a discharge from any conveyance or system of conveyances used for collecting and conveying stormwater runoff or a system of discharges from municipal separate storm sewers, except for those discharges from conveyances that do not require a permit under subdivision 2 of this subsection or agricultural stormwater runoff that is exempted from the definition of point source.

The department may designate discharges from municipal separate storm sewers on a system-wide or jurisdiction-wide basis. In making this determination the department may consider the following factors:

(1) The location of the discharge with respect to surface waters;

(2) The size of the discharge;

(3) The quantity and nature of the pollutants discharged to surface waters; and

(4) Other relevant factors.

2. The department may not require a permit for discharges of stormwater runoff from mining operations or oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities, composed entirely of flows that are from conveyances or systems of conveyances, including pipes, conduits, ditches, and channels, used for collecting and conveying precipitation runoff and that are not contaminated by contact with or that has not come into contact with, any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished product, byproduct, or waste products located on the site of such operations.

a. Permits must be obtained for all discharges from large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems.

b. The department may either issue one system-wide permit covering all discharges from municipal separate storm sewers within a large or medium municipal storm sewer system or issue distinct permits for appropriate categories of discharges within a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system, including all discharges owned or operated by the same municipality; located within the same jurisdiction; all discharges within a system that discharge to the same watershed; discharges within a system that are similar in nature; or for individual discharges from municipal separate storm sewers within the system.

c. The operator of a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer that is part of a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system must either:

(1) Participate in a permit application (to be a permittee or a state co-permittee) with one or more other operators of discharges from the large or medium municipal storm sewer system that covers all, or a portion of all, discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer system;

(2) Submit a distinct permit application that only covers discharges from the municipal separate storm sewers for which the operator is responsible; or

(3) A regional authority may be responsible for submitting a permit application under the following guidelines:

(a) The regional authority together with permit co-applicants shall have authority over a stormwater management program that is in existence or shall be in existence at the time Part 1 of the application is due;

(b) The permit applicant or co-applicants shall establish their ability to make a timely submission of Part 1 and Part 2 of the municipal application;

(c) Each of the operators of municipal separate storm sewers within large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, which are under the purview of the designated regional authority, shall comply with the application requirements of subsection C of this section.

d. One permit application may be submitted for all or a portion of all municipal separate storm sewers within adjacent or interconnected large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems. The department may issue one system-wide permit covering all or a portion of all municipal separate storm sewers in adjacent or interconnected large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems.

e. Permits for all or a portion of all discharges from large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems that are issued on a system-wide, jurisdiction-wide, watershed, or other basis may specify different conditions relating to different discharges covered by the permit, including different management programs for different drainage areas that contribute stormwater to the system.

f. State co-permittees need only comply with permit conditions relating to discharges from the municipal separate storm sewers for which they are operators.

4. In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection B of this section, an operator of a stormwater discharge associated with a large construction activity that discharges through a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system shall submit to the operator of the municipal separate storm sewer system receiving the discharge no later than May 15, 1991, or 180 days prior to commencing such discharge, the name of the facility; a contact person and telephone number; the location of the discharge; a description, including Standard Industrial Classification, that best reflects the principal products or services provided by each facility; and any existing permit number.

5. The department may issue permits for municipal separate storm sewers that are designated under subdivision A 1 e of this section on a system-wide basis, jurisdiction-wide basis, watershed basis, or other appropriate basis or may issue permits for individual discharges.

6. Conveyances that discharge stormwater runoff combined with municipal sewage are point sources that must obtain separate VPDES permits in accordance with the procedures of 9VAC25-31 and are not subject to the provisions of this section.

7. Whether a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer is or is not subject to regulation under this subsection shall have no bearing on whether the owner or operator of the discharge is eligible for funding under Title II, Title III, or Title VI of the CWA.

a. On and after October 1, 1994, for discharges composed entirely of stormwater, that are not required by subdivision 1 of this subsection to obtain a permit, operators shall be required to obtain a permit only if:

(1) The discharge is from a small MS4 required to be regulated pursuant to 9VAC25-875-970 B;

(2) The discharge is a stormwater discharge associated with small construction activity as defined in 9VAC25-875-20;

(3) The department or the EPA regional administrator determines that stormwater controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) that address the pollutants of concern; or

(4) The department or the EPA regional administrator determines that the discharge or category of discharges within a geographic area contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters.

b. Operators of small MS4s designated pursuant to subdivisions 8 a (1), (3), and (4) of this subsection shall seek coverage under a permit in accordance with 9VAC25-875-970 C, D, and E. Operators of nonmunicipal sources designated pursuant to subdivisions 8 a (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection shall seek coverage under a permit in accordance with subdivision B 1 of this section.

c. Operators of stormwater discharges designated pursuant to subdivisions 8 a (3) and (4) of this subsection shall apply to the department for a permit within 180 days of receipt of notice, unless permission for a later date is granted by the department.

B. Application requirements for stormwater discharges associated with large and small construction activity. Dischargers of stormwater associated with large and small construction activity are required to apply for an individual permit or seek coverage under a promulgated stormwater general permit. Facilities that are required to obtain an individual permit or any discharge of stormwater that the department is evaluating for designation under subdivision A 1 e of this section and is not a municipal separate storm sewer shall submit a state application in accordance with the requirements of 9VAC25-875-920 as modified and supplemented by the provisions of this subsection.

1. The operator of an existing or new stormwater discharge that is associated with a large or small construction activity shall provide a narrative description of:

a. The location, including a map, and the nature of the construction activity;

b. The total area of the site and the area of the site that is expected to undergo excavation during the life of the permit;

c. Proposed measures, including best management practices, to control pollutants in stormwater discharges during construction, including a brief description of applicable state and VESCP requirements;

d. Proposed measures to control pollutants in stormwater discharges that will occur after construction operations have been completed, including a brief description of applicable state or local VESCPrequirements;

e. An estimate of the runoff coefficient of the site and the increase in impervious area after the construction addressed in the permit application is completed, the nature of fill material and existing data describing the soil, or the quality of the discharge;

f. The name of the receiving water; and

g. The location of Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas.

2. Permit applicants shall provide such other information the department may reasonably require to determine whether to issue a permit.

C. Application requirements for large and medium municipal separate storm sewer discharges. The operator of a discharge from a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer or a municipal separate storm sewer that is designated by the department under subdivision A 1 e of this section may submit a jurisdiction-wide or system-wide permit application. Where more than one public entity owns or operates a municipal separate storm sewer within a geographic area (including adjacent or interconnected municipal separate storm sewer systems), such operators may be a permit co-applicant to the same application. Permit applications for discharges from large and medium municipal storm sewers or municipal storm sewers designated under subdivision A 1 e of this section shall include;

1. Part 1 of the application shall consist of:

a. The permit applicant's name, address, telephone number, and email address; ownership status; status as a state or local government entity; and the name, address, telephone number, and email address of a contact person;

b. A description of existing legal authority to control discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system. When existing legal authority is not sufficient to meet the criteria provided in subdivision 2 a of this subsection, the description shall list additional authorities as will be necessary to meet the criteria and shall include a schedule and commitment to seek such additional authority that will be needed to meet the criteria;

c. Source identification.

(1) A description of the historic use of ordinances, guidance, or other controls that limited the discharge of nonstormwater discharges to any publicly owned treatment works serving the same area as the municipal separate storm sewer system.

(2) A USGS 7.5 minute topographic map (or equivalent topographic map with a scale between 1:10,000 and 1:24,000, if cost effective) extending one mile beyond the service boundaries of the municipal storm sewer system covered by the permit application. The following information shall be provided:

(a) The location of known municipal storm sewer system outfalls discharging to surface waters;

(b) A description of the land use activities (e.g., divisions indicating undeveloped, residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses) accompanied with estimates of population densities and projected growth for a 10-year period within the drainage area served by the separate storm sewer. For each land use type, an estimate of an average runoff coefficient shall be provided;

(c) The location and a description of the activities of the facility of each currently operating or closed municipal landfill or other treatment, storage, or disposal facility for municipal waste;

(d) The location and the permit number of any known discharge to the municipal storm sewer that has been issued a permit;

(e) The location of major structural controls for stormwater discharge (retention basins, detention basins, major infiltration devices, etc.); and

(f) The identification of publicly owned parks, recreational areas, and other open lands;

d. Discharge characterization.

(1) Monthly mean rain and snow fall estimates (or summary of weather bureau data) and the monthly average number of storm events.

(2) Existing quantitative data describing the volume and quality of discharges from the municipal storm sewer, including a description of the outfalls sampled, sampling procedures, and analytical methods used.

(3) A list of water bodies that receive discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer system, including downstream segments, lakes, and estuaries, where pollutants from the system discharges may accumulate and cause water degradation and a brief description of known water quality impacts. At a minimum, the description of impacts shall include a description of whether the water bodies receiving such discharges have been:

(a) Assessed and reported in § 305(b) of the CWA reports submitted by the state, the basis for the assessment (evaluated or monitored), a summary of designated use support and attainment of the State Water Control Law and the CWA goals (fishable and swimmable waters), and causes of nonsupport of designated uses;

(b) Listed under § 304(l)(1)(A)(i), (1)(A)(ii), or (l)(1)(B) of the CWA that is not expected to meet water quality standards or water quality goals;

(c) Listed in State Nonpoint Source Assessments required by § 319(a) of the CWA that, without additional action to control nonpoint sources of pollution, cannot reasonably be expected to attain or maintain water quality standards due to storm sewers, construction, highway maintenance, and runoff from municipal landfills and municipal sludge adding significant pollution (or contributing to a violation of water quality standards);

(d) Identified and classified according to eutrophic condition of publicly owned lakes listed in state reports required under § 314(a) of the CWA (include the following: a description of those publicly owned lakes for which uses are known to be impaired; a description of procedures, processes, and methods to control the discharge of pollutants from municipal separate storm sewers into such lakes; and a description of methods and procedures to restore the quality of such lakes);

(e) Areas of concern of the Great Lakes identified by the International Joint Commission;

(f) Designated estuaries under the National Estuary Program under § 320 of the CWA;

(g) Recognized by the permit applicant as highly valued or sensitive waters;

(h) Defined by the state or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory as wetlands; and

(i) Found to have pollutants in bottom sediments, fish tissue or biosurvey data.

(4) Results of a field screening analysis for illicit connections and illegal dumping for either selected field screening points or major outfalls covered in the permit application. At a minimum, a screening analysis shall include a narrative description, for either each field screening point or major outfall, of visual observations made during dry weather periods. If any flow is observed, two grab samples shall be collected during a 24-hour period with a minimum period of four hours between samples. For all such samples, a narrative description of the color, odor, turbidity, and the presence of an oil sheen or surface scum, as well as any other relevant observations regarding the potential presence of nonstormwater discharges or illegal dumping shall be provided. In addition, a narrative description of the results of a field analysis using suitable methods to estimate pH, total chlorine, total copper, total phenol, and detergents (or surfactants) shall be provided along with a description of the flow rate. Where the field analysis does not involve analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136 , the permit applicant shall provide a description of the method used, including the name of the manufacturer of the test method along with the range and accuracy of the test. Field screening points shall be either major outfalls or other outfall points (or any other point of access such as manholes) randomly located throughout the storm sewer system by placing a grid over a drainage system map and identifying those cells of the grid that contain a segment of the storm sewer system or major outfall. The field screening points shall be established using the following guidelines and criteria:

(a) A grid system consisting of perpendicular north-south and east-west lines spaced 1/4 mile apart shall be overlaid on a map of the municipal storm sewer system, creating a series of cells;

(b) All cells that contain a segment of the storm sewer system shall be identified; one field screening point shall be selected in each cell; major outfalls may be used as field screening points;

(d) Field screening points shall be located to the degree practicable at the farthest manhole or other accessible location downstream in the system, within each cell; however, safety of personnel and accessibility of the location should be considered in making this determination;

(e) Hydrological conditions; total drainage area of the site; population density of the site; traffic density; age of the structures or buildings in the area; history of the area; and land use types;

(f) For medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, no more than 250 cells need to have identified field screening points; in large municipal separate storm sewer systems, no more than 500 cells need to have identified field screening points; cells established by the grid that contain no storm sewer segments will be eliminated from consideration; if fewer than 250 cells in medium municipal sewers are created, and fewer than 500 in large systems are created by the overlay on the municipal sewer map, then all those cells that contain a segment of the sewer system shall be subject to field screening (unless access to the separate storm sewer system is impossible); and

(g) Large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems that are unable to utilize the procedures described in subdivisions 1 d (4) (a) through (f) of this subsection because a sufficiently detailed map of the separate storm sewer systems is unavailable shall field screen no more than 500 or 250 major outfalls respectively (or all major outfalls in the system, if fewer); in such circumstances, the permit applicant shall establish a grid system consisting of north-south and east-west lines spaced 1/4 mile apart as an overlay to the boundaries of the municipal storm sewer system, thereby creating a series of cells; the permit applicant will then select major outfalls in as many cells as possible until at least 500 major outfalls (large municipalities) or 250 major outfalls (medium municipalities) are selected; a field screening analysis shall be undertaken at these major outfalls.

(5) Information and a proposed program to meet the requirements of subdivision 2 c of this subsection. Such description shall include: the location of outfalls or field screening points appropriate for representative data collection under subdivision 2 c (1) of this subsection, a description of why the outfall or field screening point is representative, the seasons during which sampling is intended, and a description of the sampling equipment. The proposed location of outfalls or field screening points for such sampling should reflect water quality concerns (see subdivision 1 d (3) of this subsection) to the extent practicable;

e. Management programs.

(1) A description of the existing management programs to control pollutants from the municipal separate storm sewer system. The description shall provide information on existing structural and source controls, including operation and maintenance measures for structural controls, that are currently being implemented. Such controls may include procedures to control pollution resulting from construction activities, floodplain management controls, wetland protection measures, best management practices for new subdivisions, and emergency spill response programs. The description may address controls established under state law as well as local requirements.

(2) A description of the existing program to identify illicit connections to the municipal storm sewer system. The description should include inspection procedures and methods for detecting and preventing illicit discharges and describe areas where this program has been implemented; and

f. Fiscal resources. A description of the financial resources currently available to the municipality to complete Part 2 of the permit application. A description of the municipality's budget for existing stormwater programs, including an overview of the municipality's financial resources and budget, including overall indebtedness and assets, and sources of funds for stormwater programs.

2. Part 2 of the application shall consist of:

a. A demonstration that the permit applicant can operate pursuant to legal authority established by statute, ordinance, or series of contracts that authorizes or enables the permit applicant at a minimum to:

(1) Control through ordinance, permit, contract, order, or similar means the contribution of pollutants to the municipal storm sewer by stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity and the quality of stormwater discharged from sites of industrial activity;

(2) Prohibit through ordinance, order, or similar means illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer;

(3) Control through ordinance, order, or similar means the discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer of spills, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater;

(4) Control through interagency agreements among permit co-applicants the contribution of pollutants from one portion of the municipal system to another portion of the municipal system;

(5) Require compliance with conditions in ordinances, permits, contracts, or orders; and

(6) Carry out all inspection, surveillance, and monitoring procedures necessary to determine compliance and noncompliance with permit conditions, including the prohibition on illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer;

b. The location of any major outfall that discharges to surface waters that was not reported under subdivision 1 c (2) (a) of this subsection. Provide an inventory, organized by watershed of the name and address, and a description (such as SIC codes) that best reflects the principal products or services provided by each facility that may discharge, to the municipal separate storm sewer, stormwater associated with industrial activity;

c. When quantitative data for a pollutant are required under subdivision 2 c (1) (c) of this subsection, the permit applicant must collect a sample of effluent in accordance with 9VAC25-875-960 and analyze it for the pollutant in accordance with analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136 . When no analytical method is approved the permit applicant may use any suitable method but must provide a description of the method. The permit applicant must provide information characterizing the quality and quantity of discharges covered in the permit application, including:

(1) Quantitative data from representative outfalls designated by the department (based on information received in Part 1 of the application, the department shall designate between five and 10 outfalls or field screening points as representative of the commercial, residential, and industrial land use activities of the drainage area contributing to the system or where there are less than five outfalls) covered in the application, the department shall designate all outfalls developed as follows:

(a) For each outfall or field screening point designated under this subsection, samples shall be collected of stormwater discharges from three storm events occurring at least one month apart in accordance with the requirements at 9VAC25-875-960 (the department may allow exemptions to sampling three storm events when climatic conditions create good cause for such exemptions);

(b) A narrative description shall be provided of the date and duration of the storm event or events sampled, rainfall estimates of the storm event that generated the sampled discharge, and the duration between the storm event sampled and the end of the previous measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event;

(c) For samples collected and described under subdivisions 2 c (1) (a) and (1) (b) of this subsection, quantitative data shall be provided for the organic pollutants listed in Table II; the pollutants listed in Table III (toxic metals, cyanide, and total phenols) of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D, and for the following pollutants:

Total suspended solids (TSS)

Total dissolved solids (TDS)

Chemical oxygen demand (COD)

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)

Oil and grease

Fecal coliform

Fecal streptococcus

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen

Nitrate plus nitrite

Dissolved phosphorus

Total ammonia plus organic nitrogen

Total phosphorus

(d) Additional limited quantitative data required by the department for determining permit conditions (the department may require that quantitative data shall be provided for additional parameters and may establish sampling conditions, such as the location, season of sample collection, form of precipitation (snow melt, rainfall) and other parameters necessary to ensure representativeness);

(2) Estimates of the annual pollutant load of the cumulative discharges to surface waters from all identified municipal outfalls and the event mean concentration of the cumulative discharges to surface waters from all identified municipal outfalls during a storm event (as described under 9VAC25-875-960) for BOD5, COD, TSS, dissolved solids, total nitrogen, total ammonia plus organic nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Estimates shall be accompanied by a description of the procedures for estimating constituent loads and concentrations, including any modeling, data analysis, and calculation methods;

(3) A proposed schedule to provide estimates for each major outfall identified in either subdivision 2 b or 1 c (2) (a) of this subsection of the seasonal pollutant load and of the event mean concentration of a representative storm for any constituent detected in any sample required under subdivision 2 c (1) of this subsection; and

(4) A proposed monitoring program for representative data collection for the term of the permit that describes the location of outfalls or field screening points to be sampled (or the location of instream stations), why the location is representative, the frequency of sampling, parameters to be sampled, and a description of sampling equipment;

d. A proposed management program that covers the duration of the permit. It shall include a comprehensive planning process that involves public participation and, where necessary, intergovernmental coordination to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable using management practices, control techniques and system, design and engineering methods, and such other provisions that are appropriate. The program shall also include a description of staff and equipment available to implement the program. Separate proposed programs may be submitted by each permit co-applicant. Proposed programs may impose controls on a system wide basis, a watershed basis, a jurisdiction basis, or on individual outfalls. Proposed programs will be considered by the department when developing permit conditions to reduce pollutants in discharges to the maximum extent practicable. Proposed management programs shall describe priorities for implementing controls. Such programs shall be based on:

(1) A description of structural and source control measures to reduce pollutants from runoff from commercial and residential areas that are discharged from the municipal storm sewer system that are to be implemented during the life of the permit, accompanied with an estimate of the expected reduction of pollutant loads and a proposed schedule for implementing such controls. At a minimum, the description shall include:

(a) A description of maintenance activities and a maintenance schedule for structural controls to reduce pollutants (including floatables) in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers;

(b) A description of planning procedures, including a comprehensive master plan to develop, implement, and enforce controls to reduce the discharge of pollutants from municipal separate storm sewers that receive discharges from areas of new development and significant redevelopment. Such plan shall address controls to reduce pollutants in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers after construction is completed. Controls to reduce pollutants in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers containing construction site runoff are addressed in subdivision 2 d (4) of this subsection;

(c) A description of practices for operating and maintaining public streets, roads, and highways and procedures for reducing the impact on receiving waters of discharges from municipal storm sewer systems, including pollutants discharged as a result of deicing activities;

(d) A description of procedures to ensure that flood management projects assess the impacts on the water quality of receiving water bodies and that existing structural flood control devices have been evaluated to determine if retrofitting the device to provide additional pollutant removal from stormwater is feasible;

(e) A description of a program to monitor pollutants in runoff from operating or closed municipal landfills or other treatment, storage, or disposal facilities for municipal waste that shall identify priorities and procedures for inspections and establishing and implementing control measures for such discharges (this program can be coordinated with the program developed under subdivision 2 d (3) of this subsection); and

(f) A description of a program to reduce to the maximum extent practicable, pollutants in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers associated with the application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer that will include, as appropriate, controls such as educational activities, permits, certifications, and other measures for commercial applicators and distributors and controls for application in public right-of-ways and at municipal facilities;

(2) A description of a program, including a schedule to detect and remove (or require the discharger to the municipal separate storm sewer to obtain a separate permit for) illicit discharges and improper disposal into the storm sewer. The proposed program shall include:

(a) A description of a program, including inspections, to implement and enforce an ordinance, orders, or similar means to prevent illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system; this program description shall address all types of illicit discharges, however the following category of nonstormwater discharges or flows shall be addressed where such discharges are identified by the municipality as sources of pollutants to surface waters: water line flushing, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows, rising groundwaters, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to separate storm sewers, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, air conditioning condensation, irrigation water, springs, water from crawl space pumps, footing drains, lawn watering, individual residential car washing, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, and street wash water (program descriptions shall address discharges or flows from firefighting only where such discharges or flows are identified as significant sources of pollutants to surface waters);

(b) A description of procedures to conduct on-going field screening activities during the life of the permit, including areas or locations that will be evaluated by such field screens;

(c) A description of procedures to be followed to investigate portions of the separate storm sewer system that, based on the results of the field screen, or other appropriate information, indicate a reasonable potential of containing illicit discharges or other sources of nonstormwater (such procedures may include: sampling procedures for constituents such as fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus, surfactants (Methylene Blue Active Substances - MBAS), residual chlorine, fluorides, and potassium; testing with fluorometric dyes; or conducting in storm sewer inspections where safety and other considerations allow. Such description shall include the location of storm sewers that have been identified for such evaluation.);

(d) A description of procedures to prevent, contain, and respond to spills that may discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer;

(e) A description of a program to promote, publicize, and facilitate public reporting of the presence of illicit discharges or water quality impacts associated with discharges from municipal separate storm sewers;

(f) A description of educational activities, public information activities, and other appropriate activities to facilitate the proper management and disposal of used oil and toxic materials; and

(g) A description of controls to limit infiltration of seepage from municipal sanitary sewers to municipal separate storm sewer systems where necessary.

(3) A description of a program to monitor and control pollutants in stormwater discharges to municipal systems from municipal landfills, hazardous waste treatment, disposal and recovery facilities, industrial facilities that are subject to § 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA, 42 USC § 11023), and industrial facilities that the municipal permit applicant determines are contributing a substantial pollutant loading to the municipal storm sewer system. The program shall:

(a) Identify priorities and procedures for inspections and establishing and implementing control measures for such discharges;

(b) Describe a monitoring program for stormwater discharges associated with the industrial facilities identified in subdivision 2 d (3) of this subsection, to be implemented during the term of the permit, including the submission of quantitative data on the following constituents: any pollutants limited in effluent guidelines subcategories, where applicable; any pollutant listed in an existing separate VPDES permit for a facility; oil and grease, COD, pH, BOD5, TSS, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen, and any information on discharges required under 9VAC25-875-960 G and H; and

(4) A description of a program to implement and maintain structural and nonstructural best management practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff from construction sites to the municipal storm sewer system, which program shall include:

(a) A description of procedures for site planning that incorporate consideration of potential water quality impacts;

(b) A description of requirements for nonstructural and structural best management practices;

(c) A description of procedures for identifying priorities for inspecting sites and enforcing control measures that consider the nature of the construction activity, topography, and the characteristics of soils and receiving water quality; and

(d) A description of appropriate educational and training measures for construction site operators;

e. Estimated reductions in loadings of pollutants from discharges of municipal storm sewer constituents from municipal storm sewer systems expected as the result of the municipal stormwater quality management program. The assessment shall also identify known impacts of stormwater controls on groundwater;

f. For each fiscal year to be covered by the permit, a fiscal analysis of the necessary capital and operation and maintenance expenditures necessary to accomplish the activities of the programs under subdivisions 2 c and d of this subsection. Such analysis shall include a description of the source of funds that are proposed to meet the necessary expenditures, including legal restrictions on the use of such funds;

g. Where more than one legal entity submits an application, the application shall contain a description of the roles and responsibilities of each legal entity and procedures to ensure effective coordination; and

h. Where requirements under subdivisions 1 d (5), 2 b, 2 c (2), and 2 d of this subsection are not practicable or are not applicable, the department may exclude any operator of a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer that is designated under subdivision A 1 e of this section or that is located in the counties listed in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix H or Appendix I (except municipal separate storm sewers that are located in the incorporated places, townships, or towns within such counties) from such requirements. The department shall not exclude the operator of a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer identified in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix F, G, H, or I from any of the permit application requirements under this subdivision except where authorized under this subsection.

D. Petitions.

1. Any operator of a municipal separate storm sewer system may petition the appropriate authority or the department to require a separate permit for any discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system.

2. Any person may petition the department to require a permit for a discharge that is composed entirely of stormwater that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters.

3. Any person may petition the department for the designation of a large, medium, or small municipal separate storm sewer system as defined by this chapter.

4. The department shall make a final determination on any petition received under this section within 90 days after receiving the petition with the exception of petitions to designate a small MS4, in which case the department shall make a final determination on the petition within 180 days after the petition's receipt.

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia; Chapters 68 and 758 of the 2016 Acts of Assembly.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.