Welcome to the industrial stormwater program winter newsletter! 

In this issue:

• Featured article: 2015 annual reports available!
• Updated sampling forms – new data system and improved SWMRs
• Winter stormwater management practices; how to have a low-salt diet
• Industrial stormwater training and workshops

Featured article: 2015 annual reports available!

It’s time to fill out the 2015 industrial stormwater annual Report.  The 2015 Annual Report is now available, which is due March 31, 2016 for general permit holders.  Individual wastewater permittees: read your permit language for your due date as they vary by facility. This requirement is for Permittees only; it is not required of No Exposure Certifiers.

Permittees can either fill out the Microsoft Word form or the PDF form.  Fill it out for all months your facility was active during 2015; for most Permittees, that’s the entire year.   We are also mailing out copies of the newsletter/instructions (not the form) to every Permittee “site contact”. Please use your 2015 Permit ID number for the 2015 Annual Report. 

Fill out the form electronically and email it to the Industrial Stormwater Program.  You have the option to mail it in, if you prefer. 

Individual wastewater permittees with a stormwater chapter:

Do you or your client have an individual wastewater permit with a stormwater chapter?  There’s a specific (and shorter!) version of the Annual Report form for these permittees, the Individual Industrial Stormwater Annual Report Form, Microsoft Word form or the PDF form.  Note: this form should only be used for those with an individual wastewater/stormwater permit and not for general industrial stormwater permittees. 

Updated sampling forms – new data system and improved SWMRs

You asked for some changes to your sampling form (SWMR form) and we answered! Our agency-wide data system upgrade gave us the opportunity to improve your sampling form based upon multiple permittees’ suggestions:  add the permit’s benchmark value to the sampling form, and include the form’s email submission address. 

We still ask for the same information: provide the sample date and results - or -  provide a no flow explanation, and then sign and date the form and mail or email them in.

Please note the forms are in a new location on your “facility information menu” page.  To find this page, follow these steps:

1. Go to:  http://cf.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/isw/search.cfm
2. Type in your permit ID number or facility name.  Leave all other fields blank, and click on the “search” button
3. Click on your permit ID number to launch the “Facility Information Menu” page
4. Within the upper-right box, go to the “View/Print Forms” section
5. Click on 3.  Stormwater Monitoring Report (SWMR) forms.

Good to know: 

• Please do not send in laboratory testing results with your sampling form
• Current quarter ends December 31, 2015.  Current sampling form is due no later than January 21, /2016.

Facility information incorrect?

Is something displayed wrong on this page or on your sampling form or other documents loaded from this page?  There may be a few bugs in the system and if something is incorrect, please contact Melissa Wenzel.  Please describe what is wrong or capture a screen shot image of the wrong information and a summary of what should be corrected.  If something is incorrect, thank you for your patience and understanding as we transition to this new data system!

Winter stormwater management practices; how to have a low-salt diet

As we’ve seen already, rain and snowmelt opportunities can occur during traditionally cold weather months.  It is important you maintain your stormwater management practices and continue your required monthly visual inspections throughout the winter. Don’t over apply salt and sand to roads and sidewalks. Sample results tend to be the highest in the spring time, during the “first flush” spring rains, especially if permittees are not maintaining their BMPs throughout the winter. For more information about proper stormwater management in the winter, review the “Cold climate BMPs and extreme weather”, chapter of the MPCA’s Industrial Stormwater BMP Guidebook, or check out the MPCA's "low salt diet" featured article.

Industrial stormwater training and workshops

Start 2016 out right!  Satisfy the annual industrial stormwater training requirement by attending a future training session, or supplement your training by attending one of our speaking opportunities:  

• MECA Conference, sampling workshop: January 26, 2016
• Landfill Operators Conference: February 16, 2016, 1 hour 
• Wastewater Operators Conference, March 25, 2016, ½ hour
• Wastewater Collectors Conference, March 22, 2016, ½ hour
• U of M “everything” workshop, April 25, 2016
• U of M "sampling exceedance" workshop, summer, 2016 (actual date: TBD)
• U of M "training requirements" workshop Fall 2016 (actual date: TBD)

More information about these opportunities will be available soon.  

Program Contact Information:

Website: www.pca.state.mn.us/industrialstormwater

Twitter: @melissawmpca

Monitoring Forms/Permit Information Access: http://cf.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/isw/search.cfm

Email the Program: iswprogram.pca@state.mn.us 

Call the Stormwater Hotline: Call 651-757-2119 or 800-657-3804 (non-metro only) 

Permit Compliance/No Exposure:

• Melissa Wenzel, 651-757-2816
• Mary West, 651-757-2818 
• Dave Bodovinitz, 507-206-2654

Engineering Questions: Brian Schweiss, 651-757-2709