Download and fill out the   2011 Annual Report Form (1/12)  (wq-strm3-55) today!

The 2011 Annual Report and Newsletter were mailed to all permittees ~1/30/12. Fill out the Annual Report and mail in by 3/31/12. Next year's annual report will not be mailed out but will be available for electronic download and submittal.

Industrial Stormwater Permit Information Access

Download your Stormwater Monitoring Report (SWMR) forms, view your monitoring calendar, or check the status of an application! No monitoring forms will be mailed to permittees except by request.

Note: Unable to collect a sample during your monitoring interval? Follow these steps:

1. Submit a SWMR for the monitoring period for which you were unable to collect a sample. Provide an explanation in the "If NO flow occurred during monitoring period, explain why" box and mail the form to the MPCA.
2. Collect two samples during the next sampling interval. Samples may be taken at any time during an interval, except that sampling events have to be at least 72 hours apart.
3. Two SMWRs are required to be submitted during the “substitute sample interval” even if you are unable to collect two samples during that interval.
4. If you are unable to collect any samples, or only able to collect one sample when two are required, the “substitute sample” carries forward to the next interval.

Tip: A snow melt or winter/spring thaw event can count as a "measurable runoff event."

For more information on how to use the Industrial Stormwater Permit Information Access Tool, see Step 11: Evaluate and submit sampling results.

Monitoring Guidance Manual For Minnesota’s Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit (12/10) (wq-strm3-27)

New! Industrial Stormwater Sampling Videos

How to Collect a Sheet Flow Sample, YouTube Video

• Sheet Flow Sampling Guidance Document, September 2011 (wq-strm3-33a)

How to Collect a Grab Sample, YouTube Video

• Grab Sample Guidance Document, September 2011 (wq-strm3-33b)

Permittee/No Exposure Certifier Compliance Inspection Checklist, September 2011 (wq-strm3-34)

2012 Industrial Stormwater Compliance Calendar (wq-strm3-62)  Use this calendar to keep track of date-based requirements and general compliance in 2012.

Monitoring/Sampling Workshops:

More U of M Monitoring Training Workshops are in the works, but none have been scheduled at this time.  If your company/organization would like training or can offer space to host future trainings, please contact the Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program.

Future Industrial Stormwater Program presentations and events:

• Minnesota Erosion Control Association Conference — March 8-9, 2012
• Wastewater Operations Conference — March 21-23, 2012
• Automotive Recyclers of MN Meeting: April 28, 2012

Attention Watershed Districts and MS4 Permit holders:

A state-wide Webcast/meeting for Watershed Districts and MS4 permit holders was held On November 9, 2011, to help understand the relationship between local units of government and Industrial Stormwater. To watch the Webcast, visit the Webcast page (opens in new window). The entire Webcast is 2.25 hours.

Apply now. If you are required to obtain permit coverage or certify for No Exposure but have not yet done so, apply immediately.

No Exposure Certifiers: If you have exposure and cannot immediately (generally within 30 days) cover your materials and activities, you need to apply for permit coverage. Apply immediately.

Online Permit Application

  Paper Permit Application Form (10/10) (wq-strm3-52w)

 Application Instructions (10/10) (wq-strm3-53)

Step 1
Before you apply 

Applicability — do you need a permit? 
Not sure if you need a permit? Learn about who is required to apply for Industrial Stormwater Permit coverage.

 Applicability Guidance Document (2/10) (wq-strm3-02b)

Municipally-Owned and Operated Industrial Activities Fact Sheet (2/11) (wq-strm3-10)

Solid Waste Facilities:  A guide to Minnesota’s Industrial Stormwater Permit (2/11) (wq-strm3-09)

Guidance on the Industrial Stormwater Permit for Transportation Sectors (2/11) (wq-strm3-32)

Guidance on the Industrial Stormwater Permit for the Air Transportation Sector (Sector S) (2/11) (wq-strm3-31)

Webcast: Applicability of Minnesota's industrial stormwater multi-sector general permit (Feb. 2010)  

Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet (3/10) (wq-strm3-02)

Step 2
Before you apply 

Consider certifying for No Exposure
Do you have all significant materials indoors or under a storm-resistant shelter? Learn how you can certify for No Exposure, a five-year exclusion from permit requirements.

 No Exposure: Qualifying For, and Maintaining, the Exclusion (10/10) (wq-strm3-13)

 Manufacturers: Reduce your exposure to stormwater regulations

Step 3
Before you apply 

Assess for pollutants, sources of contaminated stormwater 
This step will provide helpful information about general pollutants to assess at your facility, and specific pollutants each sector is required to monitor for.

Mercury Minimization Plan Checklist (11/10) wq-strm3-30

Step 4
Before you apply 

Gather application materials before applying 
This step provides a list of what information you should have ready BEFORE applying for permit coverage or certifying for No Exposure.

Determining the Location of a Wetland (6/10) (wq-strm3-25)

How to Identify and Confirm Benchmark Monitoring Locations YouTube video

Benchmark and Effluent Monitoring Location Diagrams for All Sectors (5/10) (wq-strm3-29)

Step 5
Before you apply 

Create Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), choose Best Management Practices (BMPs) 
This step will guide you to the SWPPP requirements and help you choose BMPs at your facility.

 Best Management Practices Guidebook (8/10) (wq-strm3-26)

SWPPP Template (11/11) (wq-strm3-28)

SWPPP Checklist (6/10) (wq-strm3-57)

Step 6
Apply/modify 

Apply, Modify, or Terminate Permit Coverage/No Exposure Certification 
It’s time to apply for the permit or to certify for No Exposure. Click on this step for links to the application and modification forms. 

 Online Permit Application
  Paper Permit Application Form (10/10) (wq-strm3-52w)

 Application Instructions (10/10) (wq-strm3-53)

Industrial Stormwater Notice of Termination Form (9/11) (wq-strm3-63) Use this form to terminate permit coverage.

  Administrative Change Form (11/11) (wq-strm3-60)

Step 7
Comply 

Sector-specific requirements, guidance 
Each sector has specific requirements. This step provides information about requirements for each sector, and offers sector-specific guidance.

 Multi-Sector General Permit (4/10) (wq-strm3-08)

NEW! 2012 Industrial Stormwater Compliance Calendar (wq-strm3-62)

Step 8
Comply 

Install BMPs, train employees 
This step provides information on how to install the BMPs you chose for your facility and information about the permit requirements regarding employee training.

Industrial Stormwater BMP Guidebook (8/10) (wq-strm3-26)

Step 9
Comply 

Inspect monthly, report annually 
Another permit requirement is submitting an annual report. This step provides information and guidance for complying with the annual report requirements.

  Site Inspection Form (4/11)  (wq-strm3-56)

  2011 Annual Report Form (1/12)  (wq-strm3-55)

Step 10
Comply 

Sample/monitor your stormwater
Sampling is a new requirement. This step provides information and guidance on how to take samples at your facility.

Monitoring Guidance Manual For Minnesota’s Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit (12/10) (wq-strm3-27)

 Benchmark and Effluent Monitoring Location Diagrams for All Sectors (5/10) (wq-strm3-29)

How to Identify and Confirm Benchmark Monitoring Locations, YouTube video

How to Collect a Sheet Flow Sample, YouTube Video

Sheet Flow Sampling Guidance Document, September 2011 (wq-strm3-33a)

How to Collect a Grab Sample, YouTube Video

Grab Sample Guidance Document, September 2011 (wq-strm3-33b)

Step 11
Comply 

Evaluate and submit sampling results
After sampling, you will be required to submit monitoring reports. This step provides information on submitting sampling results, including links to the monitoring forms.

 Industrial Stormwater Permit Information Access

Step 12
Comply 

Modify/add new BMPs 
If you did not pass your benchmarks, this step will provide information on how to modify or add new BMPs to help you pass your benchmark requirements.

 Best Management Practices Guidebook (8/10) (wq-strm3-26) 

Step 13
Comply 

Sample/monitor again, send in results 
For those who didn’t pass their benchmark monitoring, this step will provide frequently-asked-questions (developed over time) to help facilities. Learn what to do and what NOT to do regarding sampling and monitoring!

Step 14
Comply 

Compliance and information to other environmental issues
This step provides information on environmental issues that overlap with industrial stormwater: concrete/vehicle wash water, swimming pool discharges, hazardous waste management, and more.