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To protect water quality and to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, the Department of Environmental Safety administers the Storm Water Management Program. Storm water and wastewater discharges are generated at the University of Maryland through a number of sources and could ultimately enter "waters of the United States". These discharges could affect the quality of the receiving water and are therefore controlled and regulated under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Under the NPDES Program, facilities which discharge pollutants from any point source into waters of the United States are required to obtain a permit. The University of Maryland currently maintains two NPDES Permits: An individual permit which is specifically tailored to controlling the University's discharge of wastewater to surrounding surface waters (State Discharge Permit No. 01-DP-2618) and a general permit which covers the discharge of storm water run-off from land, pavement, building rooftops and construction sites on campus (General Discharge Permit No. 05-SF-5501).
This fact sheet provides guidance based on applicable regulations and the University's NPDES permits. The permits regulate and prohibit certain types of pollutants from entering storm water that is discharged to waters of the United States.
University of Maryland Environmental, Health and Safety Management Policy.
In 1987, Congress amended the Clean Water Act and required the development of a storm water permitting program by the USEPA. The agency had long required permits for the discharge of pollutants into surface and groundwater under its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. This program was expanded to address storm water issues. In Maryland, MDE is authorized to administer the NPDES permit program for the USEPA.
The regulatory program is designed to regulate the largest storm water discharges. Such discharges include those associated with industrial activity from medium and large municipal separate storm sewer systems from entities already permitted under the NPDES program, and other discharges that contribute to a violation of water quality standards and are considered significant contributors of pollutants. Recognizing that the permitting of over 100,000 entities would pose significant resource requirements, two types of permits were provided. General permits were established for the large majority of industrial dischargers. The regulations specify the types of discharges that may qualify for a General Permit. An entity must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the regulatory agency who will make a final determination regarding the issuance of a General Permit.
The General Permit contains standard requirements and limitations including the preparation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. General Permits are available for industrial activities, construction activities and specific industrial/commercial sectors.
In some cases, the agency may require that a regulated entity obtain an Individual Permit. To obtain such a permit, the entity must file a site specific application that identifies the discharge points, the receiving water body, the flow rates and pollutant information. The regulatory agency will then review the information, establish site specific pollutant discharge permits and issue an Individual Permit. The University of Maryland holds an Individual Permit that contains specific sampling, testing and reporting requirements based upon the University's activities and discharge points. The permit also contains site specific discharge limits for several chemical and physical parameters.
With respect to the Individual Permit (State Discharge Permit No. 01-DP-2618), the University provides quarterly monitoring reports (DMR) to MDE who is responsible for enforcement activities. Significant discharge limits exist for temperature, pH, Total Residual Chlorine, total/dissolved copper, and oil and grease. Under the permit, the University may not discharge toxic or radioactive substances, sewage, nutrients, persistent foam, floating solids, and other pollutants which may cause a deleterious effect on water quality. Storm water and certain wastewaters generated at the University are directly discharged to the Paint Branch Creek and its unnamed tributary.
In October 2005, MDE authorized coverage under a "General Permit for Discharges from State and Federal Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems" for the University under Phase II of the NPDES. (Permit No. 05-SF-5501) The Permit incorporates six minimum requirements that must be met in order for the University to have the authority to discharge storm water.
Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive program to identify and eliminate illicit storm drain system connections and non-stormwater discharges. This program shall contain elements to field screen storm drain system outfalls, develop a map showing the storm drain system, enforcement or penalty procedures, procedures to address spills and illegal dumping and any other component necessary to ensure non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system are either permitted by MDE under NPDES or eliminated.
Maryland has a statewide erosion and sediment control program that requires erosion and sediment control plans for all construction activity that disturbs greater than five thousand square feet of earth or 100 cubic yards of earth movement. Maryland regulations contain procedures for approving proposed construction drawings and erosion sediment control plans prior to the start of construction. UM relies on this qualifying local program to comply with this control measure.
Maryland requires that stormwater management for new development and redevelopment be addressed for any proposed project that disturbs five thousand square feet or more of earth. MDE is responsible for reviewing, approving and enforcing Stormwater Management Plans for State and federal construction projects. MDE considers compliance with the State statute to satisfy this minimum control measure.
Implement and maintain pollution prevention and good housekeeping techniques to reduce pollutants from all UM operations. This minimum control shall include employee training to reduce pollutant discharges to the storm drain system, runoff controls at fleet and building maintenance facilities, and ensure all activities are properly permitted under NPDES or other State or federal water pollution control program.
The University must provide MDE with quarterly monitoring reports based on monthly sampling activities. Noncompliance with any permitted discharge limit must be reported to MDE within 24 hours of becoming aware of the noncompliance. A written report must be submitted within five calendar days.
The University is required to inspect all oil-water separators, grease interceptors, and grit traps on a monthly basis to ensure they are operating properly. Oil and accumulated sediments must be removed before they exceed the capacity of the vessel.
Records must be maintained of all inspections, equipment calibrations, monitoring activities and laboratory analyses for a minimum period of three years.
Written 5/98
Revised 12/06
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