At first glance, the terms “stormwater management plan” (SWMP) and “stormwater pollution prevention plan” (SWPPP) might seem similar. However, they refer to two distinct types of planning, both of which are important to ensuring that your business meets all environmental requirements in Colorado. Knowing the difference can help you maintain compliance and protect the earth’s water resources.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
A SWPPP is typically related to industrial and construction activities rather than managing runoff around most types of properties and businesses. In Colorado, this type of assessment is often required for projects under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Department of Transportation, which issues MS4 permits.
The document focuses on how to prevent water pollution at a specific site, avoiding stormwater runoff contaminating nearby water bodies. The plan must identify potential sources of pollution onsite and lay out measures for how to prevent pollution from occurring in runoff scenarios.
A stormwater pollution prevention plan is usually a short-term document that seeks to implement ways to prevent pollution during an individual project or until more solid measures can be put in place. These plans are vital to stormwater pollution prevention during the construction phase. During that period, runoff conditions can vary widely, and a variety of harmful pollutants and sediments may be lying around.
Some measures that might be put in place in accordance with a SWPPP include temporary silt fences and sediment basins. Keeping specific vehicles away from certain areas liable to sediment disruption is also important, and vehicle tracking may be put in place to enforce the SWPPP.
Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
If you have an existing property that isn’t undergoing a construction project, you’re much more likely to require a SWMP than a SWPPP. A stormwater management plan is a long-term strategy to address stormwater on a permanent basis. It manages the quantity and quality of runoff through a variety of measures.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment requires a SWMP to achieve certification under the Colorado Discharge Permit System. Your business may require one of several different types of permits, depending on its size and the population of the surrounding municipality.
An SWMP can include several measures to manage runoff. Forebays, channels, extended detention basins, erosion control, and more are all important parts of stormwater management. There’s also a need to monitor and report to ensure that your plan is delivering the desired results.
Implementing a successful SWMP means undergoing significant design consideration. The physical layout of your property and surrounding land, local watercourses, and other factors will all affect the specific solution you need to maintain compliance and prevent complications due to stormwater runoff.
Hammers Construction Is Here for All of Your Stormwater Planning Needs
No matter what type of project you’re taking on or what property you’re responsible for, Hammers Construction can provide the SWMP and SWPPP services you need to achieve and maintain compliance.
We’ll carefully evaluate your needs, develop a thorough plan, and implement the appropriate preventive and corrective measures to meet regulatory requirements. Reach out today to find out more.