The Clean Water Act is not to be ignored
The above picture shows an extreme example (not in Idaho) of the harmful collection of water polluted by construction when no drainage system as required by the CWA was provided.
Businesses operating at three construction sites in Nampa are finding out that the Clean Water Act is being enforced in Idaho. Sites affected by $21,800 in fines levied by the EPA for the violations are as follows:
- Dan Kropf Construction site, SC Construction
- 65 K #2 Building, Ronald W. Van Auker Inc.
- Empire Business Park, Freund Spencer, Knife River
An EPA press release states that EPA inspectors checked construction sites and observed violations of the nationwide Construction General Permit, which is part of the CWA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, (NPDES). Inspectors found violations for failing to apply for the required storm water permit, failing to conduct self-inspection, and failing to install and maintain erosion and sediment controls.
Rain and other storms can drench a construction site. Even a fairly small storm can create rivers and pools of water laced with oil and grease as well as water with a high pH (alkaline) content in the runoff from concrete at the site.
Water spilling into the streets and gutters near a construction site is polluted water. The EPA warns that after a storm, the water polluted by sedimention, chemicals, and 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.
These pollutants “go with the flow” and end up in the city’s water system unless precautions are taken by the construction operators to handle storm water.
The Clean Water Act requires all construction projects to obtain a permit proving compliance with EPA rules regarding the control and disposal of storm water.
If you are involved in any way in new construction, be sure to check out information provided by the EPA explaining the provisions. In general, if your construction site covers more than one acre, you are required to obtain a permit for discharge of storm water from the site. You need to develop a storm water plan for making sure polluted water is contained on site and does not flow into ditches, rivers, or other water flowing to municipal and state water sources.
The law is a nuisance in the minds of some construction operators in a hurry to get the job done. The public knows better. Any time laws are made to improve the quality of water in Idaho, they are worth following and enforcing.
Presented as a public service of Griffith Publishing. No cost or obligation is required or implied.
Tags: Add new tag, Clean Water Act, Dan Kropf, Empire Business Park, EPA Idaho, Idaho construction, NPDES, Ronald Van Auker, storm water control
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