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Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities
Overview
Stormwater runoff from construction activities can have a significant impact on water quality. As stormwater flows over a construction site, it picks up pollutants like sediment, debris, and chemicals. Polluted stormwater runoff can harm or kill fish and other wildlife. Sedimentation can destroy aquatic habitat and high volumes of runoff can cause stream bank erosion. Debris can clog waterways and potentially reach the ocean where it can kill marine wildlife and impact habitat.
The NPDES Stormwater program requires operators of construction sites one acre or larger (including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development) to obtain authorization to discharge stormwater under an NPDES construction stormwater permit.
The development and implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plans is the focus of NPDES stormwater permits for regulated construction activities.
Most states are authorized to implement the Stormwater NPDES permitting program. EPA remains the permitting authority in a few states, territories, and on most land in Indian Country. For construction (and other land disturbing activities) in areas where EPA is the permitting authority, operators must meet the requirements of the EPA Construction General Permit (CGP).
General Information and Guidance for Construction Activities
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