On December 1, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule setting effluent limitations for storm water discharges from construction and land development sites. The rule takes effect on February 1, 2010.
The new requirements include a range of erosion and sediment controls and pollution prevention practices that all construction sites, regardless of size, must implement. For construction sites that disturb more than ten (10) acres, the requirements will include monitoring of storm water discharge and compliance with a numeric limitation for turbidity of 280 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units). The monitoring requirements will be phased in over a four-year period: larger construction sites (20 acres or more) will begin monitoring 18 months after the effective date, while other activities disturbing 10 acres or more will need to monitor effluent and demonstrate compliance with the turbidity standard after four years.
For more information, contact T. Cozzie Consulting or visit the US EPA web page at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction/.