What is a Utah SWPPP?

A Utah SWPPP, or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, is a written plan that is required for any construction site that is part of a Common Plan Development or will disturb more than one acre of land in Utah.

 

The SWPPP is required to be developed and implemented to prevent pollutants from leaving the construction site, entering waterways and polluting our rivers and lakes.

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In Utah, the SWPPP can be developed by an owner or contractor but is usually developed by a qualified professional, such as an engineer or a certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC).

 

The SWPPP must include a description of the construction site, the potential pollutants that could be generated by the construction activities, and the best management practices (BMPs) with a map that will be used to prevent pollutants from leaving the site.

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The SWPPP must be available at all times for inspection by city, state, or federal regulators. The SWPPP must also be updated as needed to reflect any changes to the construction site or the BMPs.

 

Here are some of the stormwater regulations in Utah:

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• Utah has a "no net increase" policy for stormwater pollution. This means that any new development must not cause an increase in the amount of pollutants that enter waterways.

• Utah has a "first flush" rule for stormwater pollution. This means that the first inch of rainfall from a storm must be treated as if it were contaminated with pollutants.

• Utah has a "polluter pays" principle for stormwater pollution. This means that the party responsible for causing stormwater pollution is responsible for paying to clean it up.

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Anyone who conducts stormwater inspections in Utah must be certified by the EPA or the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DEQ offers a variety of certification courses for stormwater inspectors.

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Whether or not you need a SWPPP in Utah depends on the size of your construction site and the type of work you are doing.

 

If your construction site is part of a Common Plan Development or will disturb more than one acre of land, you will need a SWPPP.

 

Navigating Utah's stormwater regulations can be tricky and Accena SWPPP Services is here to simplify the process.

 

We specialize in Utah SWPPP development, BMP inspections, and BMP installations and management to help ensure your project is in compliance with government regulations.