SWPPP permit is important in Texas for large construction facilities covering an area anywhere above 5 acres within the Texas area. It is important to allow personnel from EPA to conduct required inspections of the constriction sites to help with proper implementation of the SWPPP strategy until the site reaches final stabilization. In this regard, there are very clear directives to follow that have been mentioned under the TCEQ SWPPP requirements.
Providing for regular site inspections
It is important for every large construction site operating in Texas to allow regular site inspections for the proper compliance with SWPPP protocols. These inspections will help to enforce strategy implementations and introduce changes where the strategy might be failing to show proper results.
Features of an SWPPP inspector
The SWPPP will appoint an inspector with proper knowledge about the protocols of the permit as well as an advanced knowledge of erosion and sedimentation control protocols for Texas. The inspector will ensure the enforcement and correct implementation of the SWPPP guidance mentioned by EPA for Texas. The guidance is different for every individual permit and it depends largely on the main strategy mentioned within the notice of intent submitted during the SWPPP approval.
Operation and maintenance compliance
The installation of the protocols and their maintenance during the operations of the site are the responsibility of the operator. The inspector will only be available in an overseeing capacity for set intervals of time. It is the sole responsibility of the operator to not only ensure that the operations have completely implemented each protocol but there is sustenance of these protocols until the final stabilization of the project.
Self-monitoring protocols
The operator will also be responsible for self-monitoring of the SWPPP strategy to submit active reports to the inspector during mandatory SWPPP inspections. It will be important for the operator to include discharges from storage areas, allotted vehicle maintenance zones and areas assigned for washing of machinery parts. The reports should be exhaustive in listing the exact steps that have been taken to implement proper discharge maintenance within these zones. The zones should also be available for inspection at set intervals for complete authentication of each report.
Mandatory inspection directives
It is mandatory for the operator to help the SWPPP inspector with complete inspections at every 14 days interval. The inspections will only occur during working hours. The inspections are also mandatory in case of a heavy storm or rainfall having occurred within 24 hours. The protocol is to conduct an inspection within 24 hours for any rainfall cataloged at over 0.25 inches in 24-hour period.