Stormwater Quality Permits & Plans

Stormwater Quality Permits (SWQ) can be a daunting task as the Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) is unique to each property. Here are a few things you must do in order to stay in compliance and avoid costly fines.

The Facts

• A Stormwater Quality (SWQ) Permit, when required, is a prerequisite to obtaining a Building Permit.
• An SWQ Permit is required when a site meets guidelines for the need to install a permanent SWQ treatment system or SWQ pond.
• An SWQ Permit submission includes a Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) developed for the project including a narrative plan (and the SWQMP drawing) describing post-construction stormwater quality management and feature maintenance.
• Although similar in format, the SWPPP is not the SWQMP. The SWPPP deals with stormwater quality only during construction.

The Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)

• The SWQMP commits the Owner(s) to inspections, maintenance and re-permitting obligations for as long as they own the property.
• Any changes in the SWQMP or SWQ feature installed must be re-submitted to and approved by the permitting agency (city/county).

Owner Obligations

• The SWQ Permit must be renewed annually.
• SWQ permitting/re-permitting requires a Professional Engineer (PE) Certification; both after construction of the stormwater quality feature is complete and as prerequisite to each annual renewal.
• Inspection/Maintenance/Documentation requirements indicated in the SWQMP for the SWQ feature must be strictly followed.
• For projects in the City of Houston, if the stormwater quality feature will not be completed prior to any vertical construction, the feature must be bonded.

GC Obligations

• Post a copy of the owner’s SWQ permit along with your SWPPP posting and keep a copy of the Owners SWQMP on site.
• Install the SWQ feature according the specifications.
• Keep the SWQ feature clean during construction and ensure its functional integrity at completion of construction. This often means a clean-out will be required at project completion.
• Notify the owner’s engineer at close-out that the feature is available for As-Built Inspection and Certification.
• If the SWQ feature is a pond, ensure that the slopes meet the Texas General Permit ‘final stabilization’ requirements.

Construction EcoServices offers several stormwater quality treatment systems that raise compliance while lowering total cost of compliance. With our complete suite of turnkey services we can assure property owners and managers that their properties are in compliance with SWQ permitting regulations.