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Stormwater: Erosion Control and Pollution Prevention

23 minutesEN / ES / MLCCEnvironmental ComplianceEPA Clean Water Act; NPDES (40 CFR Parts 122, 450)
Quick Answer

Stormwater: Erosion Control and Pollution Prevention is a 23-minute online course that teaches employees how to manage stormwater runoff and prevent pollution on construction sites and industrial facilities as required under the EPA's Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. It is designed for construction professionals and environmental compliance personnel, and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Stormwater runoff from construction sites and industrial facilities is one of the leading sources of water pollution in the United States. The EPA's Clean Water Act requires facilities that disturb one or more acres of land - or discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity - to obtain NPDES permit coverage and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Violations of stormwater permits can result in civil penalties of up to $37,500 per day per violation under Clean Water Act enforcement provisions. State environmental agencies, which typically administer NPDES permits, conduct regular inspections and can issue stop-work orders for sites without proper erosion and sediment controls.

This course gives your employees a working understanding of stormwater management practices and regulatory requirements. Your team will learn how to identify potential pollution sources on jobsites, implement effective erosion and sediment control measures, and maintain best management practices (BMPs) throughout the life of a project. The training covers the key components of a SWPPP, inspection and maintenance schedules for erosion controls, and the documentation your facility needs to demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections.

What You'll Learn

  • Clean Water Act NPDES stormwater permit requirements and applicability thresholds
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) components and development process
  • Erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) for construction and industrial sites
  • Identifying and controlling pollutant sources including sediment, chemicals, and construction debris
  • Inspection and maintenance schedules for stormwater controls during active operations
  • Documentation and recordkeeping requirements for NPDES permit compliance
  • Stabilization practices for disturbed areas and post-construction stormwater management

Who Needs This Training

  • Construction site workers and crew leaders responsible for installing and maintaining erosion controls
  • Environmental compliance managers overseeing SWPPP implementation at construction or industrial sites
  • Project managers at construction firms that disturb one or more acres of land
  • Stormwater inspectors and site monitors who conduct routine BMP evaluations
  • Facility operators at industrial sites with NPDES stormwater permit requirements
  • New employees who need foundational training on stormwater regulations and site controls

Regulatory Background

The EPA's stormwater regulations fall under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, codified in 40 CFR Parts 122 and 450. Construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land require coverage under the NPDES Construction General Permit, which mandates development and implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Industrial facilities with stormwater discharges must obtain coverage under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). Both permits require employee training on stormwater management practices. Civil penalties for Clean Water Act violations can reach $37,500 per day per violation, and criminal penalties for knowing violations can include fines of up to $50,000 per day and imprisonment. Most states administer their own NPDES programs under EPA delegation, and many impose additional requirements beyond federal minimums. Regular site inspections and proper documentation are critical, as inspectors frequently cite inadequate erosion controls, missing SWPPPs, and failure to train personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

A SWPPP is required for any construction activity that disturbs one or more acres of land, or is part of a larger common plan of development that will ultimately disturb one or more acres. Industrial facilities that discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity must also develop and implement a SWPPP under the NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit. Your state may have lower thresholds that trigger SWPPP requirements.
Civil penalties under the Clean Water Act can reach $37,500 per day per violation. Criminal penalties for knowing violations include fines of up to $50,000 per day and potential imprisonment. State agencies can also issue stop-work orders for construction sites without proper erosion controls or valid permit coverage. Penalties apply to both the failure to obtain a permit and the failure to implement required controls.
Under the EPA's Construction General Permit, stormwater controls must be inspected at least once every seven calendar days, or once every 14 days if combined with a rain event inspection within 24 hours of a rainfall event producing 0.25 inches or more. Some states require more frequent inspections. All inspections must be documented in the SWPPP.
Yes. Both the Construction General Permit and the Multi-Sector General Permit require that personnel who are responsible for installing, inspecting, and maintaining stormwater controls receive appropriate training. The SWPPP must describe the training program and identify the personnel who need it. Training records should be maintained on site and available for inspection.
In most cases, your state environmental agency administers the NPDES stormwater program under delegation from the EPA. However, the EPA retains enforcement authority and can take direct action in any state. In non-delegated states, the EPA is the primary permitting and enforcement authority. Both federal and state inspectors can conduct site visits and issue violations.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person