Chapter 26: Stormwater

The purpose of this program is to protect surface water quality by ensuring that stormwater discharges comply with applicable rules and regulations, including the state industrial general permit (IGP), and preventing the entry of pollutants into the storm drainage system and receiving water bodies (for example, San Francisquito Creek).

It covers authorizing discharges to the storm drain system, handling unauthorized discharges, choosing and implementing best management practices, inspecting and maintaining the storm drainage system, and planning and permitting specific projects.

It applies to workers, supervisors, field construction managers, project managers, area/building managers, subcontractors, ESH coordinators, the stormwater program manager, Facilities and Operations, and Radiation Protection.

Stormwater flowing through industrial/support activity areas, such as those on the SLAC site, has the potential to carry pollutants into local water bodies if upstream sources are not properly managed. Sediment in runoff is also considered a pollutant and must be controlled and minimized. Receiving water bodies must be protected so that their functions as wildlife habitat, drinking water sources, and recreational areas are not unduly impaired. SLAC’s storm run-off discharges directly into San Francisquito Creek, which ultimately drains into San Francisco Bay.

SLAC’s stormwater discharges are regulated under the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)’s state-wide industrial general permit (IGP) and construction general permit (CGP) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. Compliance includes development and implementation of SLAC’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), best management practices (BMPs), and a monitoring program to control pollution sources and prevent pollutants from entering the storm drainage system. In addition to complying with the state-wide permits, certain activities at SLAC may require project-specific permits or plans.

Many SLAC operations, such as vehicle maintenance, landscaping, construction, hazardous materials and waste handling, and any other activity that may release pollutants to the environment, must be managed in accordance with permit requirements. These include the proper implementation of BMPs to keep pollutants from entering the storm drainage system.

Quick Start Summary [pdf]

Full chapter [pdf]