Page 92 - California Stormwater Workshop Handouts

Industrial General Permit Fact Sheet

The previous permit required that Dischargers collect grab samples during the first
hour of discharge that commenced during scheduled facility operating hours. These
sample collection requirements were widely considered to be too rigid and out of
step with other states’ sample collection requirements. Since many storm events
begin in the evening or early morning hours, numerous opportunities to collect
samples were lost because Dischargers could not obtain samples during the first
hour of discharge. Dischargers with facilities that have multiple discharge locations
had difficulties collecting samples within such a short timeframe therefore affecting
data quality.

11. Sampling Frequency

This General Permit increases the sampling frequency by requiring the Discharger to
collect and analyze storm water samples from each discharge location for two (2)
QSEs within the first half of each reporting year (July 1 to December 31), and two (2)
QSEs within the second half of each reporting year (January 1 to June 30). The
increased sampling, compared to the previous permit’s two samples during the wet
season, is consistent with the 2008 MSGP and other states’ permit requirements
and will improve compliance determination with this General Permit. The State
Water Board expects that the elimination of the wet season sampling requirements
will increase the number of possible QSEs eligible for monitoring.

12. Compliance Groups

To allow industrial facilities to efficiently share knowledge, skills and resources
towards achieving General Permit compliance, this General Permit allows the
formation of Compliance Groups and Compliance Group Leaders. Dischargers
participating in a Compliance Group (Compliance Group Participants) are
collectively required to sample twice a year. Compliance Group Leaders are
required to be approved through the State Water Board-approved training program
process, inspect each facility once within each reporting year, and prepare Level 1
and Level 2 ERA reports as necessary. The Compliance Group option is described
in more detail in General Permit section XIV and in this Fact Sheet in the Section
titled “Compliance Groups.”

13. Discharges to Ocean Waters

This General Permit requires Dischargers with ocean-discharging outfalls subject to
model monitoring provisions of the California Ocean Plan to develop and implement
a monitoring plan in compliance with those provisions and any additional monitoring
requirements established pursuant to Water Code section 13383. Dischargers who
have not developed and implemented a monitoring program in compliance with the
California Ocean Plan model monitoring provisions by January 1, 2015 or seven (7)
days prior to commencing operations, whichever is later, are ineligible to obtain
coverage under this General Permit.

Order 2014-0057-DWQ 8