frequently asked questions
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, also known as a SWPPP, SWP3, or SW3P, is a site-specific document that:
- Identifies potential sources of stormwater pollution at a construction site.
- Describes practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges from a construction site.
- Identifies procedures the operator will implement to comply with the terms and conditions of a construction general permit.
Any construction site disturbing 1 or more acres or is part of a Larger Common Plan of Development.
A construction activity is part of a larger common plan of development if it is completed in one or more of the following ways:
- in separate stages
- in separate phases
- in combination with other construction activities
It is identified by the documentation that identifies the scope of the project including such things as the following:
- plats
- blueprints
- marketing plans
- contracts
- building permits
- public notice or hearing
- zoning requests
It can include one operator or many operators.
Example: A subdivision is being developed. You are building homes on 2 acres, another company is clearing 3 acres in the next phase, and a contractor is excavating another 0.5 acres for a pond. In this case, the total area that would be disturbed is 5.5 acres, so each operator would fall under the requirements associated with disturbing 5 or more acres.
“Construction” refers to actions that result in a disturbance of the land, including clearing, grading, excavating, and other similar activities.
It also includes “construction-related activities,” areas that support the construction project such as stockpiles, borrow areas, concrete truck washouts, fueling areas, material storage areas and equipment storage areas. Construction activities that do not disturb land, such as interior remodeling, generally do not require TPDES or NPDES permit coverage.
Edwards Aquifer
The Edwards Aquifer is essentially protected habitat for a number of federally protected species and the primary water source for over two million people in San Antonio and the surrounding Central Texas communities.
Edwards Aquifer Protection Program
The Edwards Aquifer Protection Program rules were established to ensure that contaminated runoff does not harm the quality of water in the Edwards Aquifer.
Who is affected?
Recharge Zone or Transition Zone(1) Construction-related or post-construction activity on the recharge or transition zones and (2) your activity has a potential for polluting the aquifer and surface streams that recharge it, then you are affected by the Edwards Aquifer rules. Some examples of activities covered by these rules are:
- Constructing buildings, utility stations, utility lines, roads, highways, or railroads.
- Filling, clearing, excavating, or carrying out any other activity that alters or disturbs topographic, geologic, or recharge characteristics of a site.
- Conducting other activities that may pose a potential for contaminating the Edwards Aquifer or surface streams that recharge it.
(1) You disturb more than five acres or (2) you are conducting activities as part of a large plan of development that may disturb five or more acres.
Unsure if your project is subject to regulation by the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program? Use the Edwards Aquifer Map Viewer to help determine.
Yes. A Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP) is a detailed plan required by the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program that outlines best management practices that will be implemented in order to protect water quality. A WPAP is required for any “regulated activity” over the Recharge Zone of the Edwards Aquifer.
“Regulated activities” are defined under TAC 30 §213 28 (a) as “any construction-related or post-construction activity on the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer having the potential for polluting the Edwards Aquifer and hydrologically connected surface streams.”
Yes. A Contributing Zone Plan (CZP) is a detailed plan required by the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. A CZP is required for any regulated activity disturbing five or more acres. TCEQ may accept your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) as part of your CZP submittal.
