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Requirements:
General (5.1)

The main external requirement for SLAC is to comply with applicable rules and regulations regarding stormwater quality, generally expressed in the permits SLAC holds. The general permit [pdf] applies to stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity areas. Additional permits are required for construction projects of a certain size, for outdoor activities near environmentally sensitive areas, or for any conditional discharge, as described below.

Stormwater Discharges

Authorized Releases

Only stormwater and certain non-stormwater discharges are permitted into the stormwater drainage system. The non-stormwater discharges conditionally authorized by the general permit include fire hydrant flushing, drinking fountain water, atmospheric condensates including refrigeration, air conditioning, and compressor condensate, landscape watering, groundwater, and foundation or footing drainage. These discharges are authorized only if the following conditions are met:

1. Flow is minimized to the extent practicable
2. BMPs are in place to prevent or reduce the contact of the non-stormwater discharge with significant material or equipment
3. The discharge does not contain significant quantities of pollutants

Unauthorized Releases and Spill Response

Unauthorized releases include any that do not fall within the conditional discharges described in the previous section and must be reported to the stormwater program manager. Such releases constitute a spill, and must be managed as described in Chapter 16, "Spills". If the spill contains hazardous materials, dispose of cleanup materials as described in Chapter 17, "Hazardous Waste".

Note: Domestic water is disinfected with chloramines that persist for weeks and are toxic to the aquatic wildlife found in San Francisquito Creek. Whenever possible, domestic water spills resulting, for example from burst pipes, or authorized releases from, for example fire system flushing, should be treated to remove chloramines before discharge to the storm drain system.

General Permit

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

The general permit requires that SLAC establish, maintain, and implement a SWPPP [revision forthcoming]. The SWPPP incorporates general permit requirements, which include

• Identifying all operations that may impact water entering the storm drain system, and mitigating this potential impact by implementing appropriate BMPs
• Monitoring stormwater and authorized non-stormwater discharges as required by the general permit
• Ensuring that only stormwater and authorized non-stormwater discharges enter the stormwater drainage system
• Eliminating unauthorized non-stormwater discharges

Sampling

To determine the effectiveness of BMPs, the general permit requires the collection of stormwater samples during two separate storm events between October 1 and May 31 of each year. Sampling locations must be inspected as required by the general permit.

Permit Compliance Evaluation

The SWPPP monitoring program requires an annual site-wide compliance evaluation of stormwater discharge. The program includes an annual inspection, assessment of BMP effectiveness, review of potential pollutant sources, and review of stormwater analytical and visual monitoring data. If monitoring results show that constituents of concern exceed agency parameter benchmark values (PBV), BMPs must be re-evaluated and more effective measures may be put into place.

Reporting

Stormwater sampling and inspection results are compiled and submitted to the RWQCB annually. Any area of non-compliance is evaluated and solutions for bringing such areas into compliance are provided. Solutions may take the form of new or revised BMPs.

Additional Permits

Any activity or project conducted outdoors may require additional permits if it could impact the stormwater drainage system. Additional permit types are listed below.

Construction General Permit

A construction project that disturbs one or more acres of soil - or projects that disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres - must comply with the requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity [pdf], pursuant to Water Quality Order 99-08-DWQ.

Construction activities include clearing, grading and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling, or excavation, but do not include regular maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility.

Construction projects regulated under the construction general permit require

• A project-specific SWPPP
• Submittal of a notice of intent (NOI)
• Fee submitted to the RWQCB at least ten days prior to breaking ground

The university technical representative (UTR) and/or the project manager is responsible for ensuring this occurs. The stormwater program manager is responsible for reviewing the project SWPPP for consistency with SLAC requirements and for regularly inspecting the construction site to ensure the SWPPP is being implemented.

Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application Permits

A project that is adjacent to or involves a riparian corridor or wetland may require certain joint aquatic resources permit application (JARPA) permits, from one or more federal, state, or local agencies. Multiple agency review permits require a 90-day lead time.

Waste Discharge Requirements

A waste discharge report must be filed with the RWQCB for any discharge that could affect surface water and groundwater excluding community sewer systems. The RWQCB issues waste discharge requirements (WDR) detailing the conditions and requirements under which a discharge can take place.

This could include a release resulting from a spill. In that case mitigation measures, monitoring requirements, effluent limitations, and reporting schedules may be required.

Storm Drain System

Maintenance

The Conventional and Experimental Facilities (CEF) Department is responsible for maintaining the storm drain system.

Connections

All new connections to the system must be approved by CEF.

continue to Requirements, Roles & Responsibilities (5.1.7)