How Stormwater Monitoring Prevents Pollution

One of the many fantastic characteristics of water is that it is extremely effective at dissolving and carrying other compounds and substances. This fact is great when you are thirsty and want to mix a glass of powdered lemonade or when you want to wash the sweat and dirt from your body in the shower.

However, the same properties that make water so useful for a slew of essential human activities also make it so that rainwater and snow and ice melt pick up and mix with whatever is on the rooftops, parking lots, streets and ground, and all of these things get carried into the creeks, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and, eventually, the ocean.

In order to protect our water, groundwater and waterways from excessive stormwater runoff pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as state and local governments have instituted stormwater regulations including the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SPPP), most of which require frequent mandatory stormwater monitoring.

Stormwater pollution involves all kinds of contaminants from a wide range of sources:

• Oil, grease, metals, rubber, combustion waste and coolants from vehicles;
• Fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals from gardens and homes;
• Bacteria from food service waste, garbage, pet wastes and failing septic systems;
• Soil and exposed materials from construction sites;
• Herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural lands;
• Soaps from laundry, car or equipment washing; and
• Accidental spills, leaky storage containers and whatever else ends up on the ground.

When stormwater is allowed to flow freely into our waterways it causes three big problems:

Pollution

All of the pollutants listed above and more are swept up by stormwater runoff as it rushes into nearby gutters, storm drains, local streams, lakes, rivers and bays. In the past, all of this stormwater runoff flowed directly into these waters without being cleaned of pollutants.

Flooding

Flooding harms streams and wetlands because it damages or destroys vital fish and wildlife habitats. When water is not able to soak into the ground, it quickly rushes into drainage ditches and streams where rising waters cause damage to homes, businesses and septic systems, and overwhelm streams, wetlands and other wildlife habitats.

Water shortages 

Especially in growing communities where a lot of development is occurring and where lots of impervious surfaces do not allow water to filtrate through (think roads, parking lots and rooftops), rainfall is prevented from soaking into the ground to replenish groundwater and streams used for well water and other important uses.

Stormwater sampling and monitoring requirements differ from state to state. The most common stormwater permit type for industrial activities is called a Multi-Sector General Stormwater Permit (MSGP). The stormwater sampling parameters and frequency are usually state-specific and depend upon the type of industrial activities done at the site. State MSGPs require stormwater sampling at frequent intervals to assess the water quality of stormwater runoff from identified sites. All permits require monitoring that shows the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs).

Construction sites, businesses that work with, store or move chemicals or petroleum products and real estate with large roof and parking footprints, are also required to conduct periodic stormwater sampling and/or pollutant monitoring. All samples must be taken during a qualifying rainfall event from designated collection spots on the property. Samples are sent to a testing laboratory for analysis. 

If your business wishes to avoid the pitfalls of stormwater sampling, it is best to follow these recommendations for how to prevent stormwater pollution:

• Understand your permit’s stormwater sampling requirements.
• Plan ahead, preview weather forecasts and designate an alternate sample collector.
• Make sure sampling kits are packed with at least 1/3 of a cooler of ice.
• Overnight ship your samples so they arrive during lab operating days.
• Always properly package samples being shipped.
• Try to include as little sediment as possible when collecting a stormwater sample.
• If a qualifying storm event did not occur, file a “No-Flow” report, even though no samples were collected.
• Make certain that your team knows where to collect samples and all the procedures involved.

When everyone does their part in developing, following and sticking to the requirements of their stormwater pollution prevention plan, we can all work together to prevent a lot of unnecessary pollution from entering our waterways, wetlands, harbors, groundwater sources, and as a result, our foods, drinking water and our own bodies. All of these monitoring efforts must be consistent and ongoing in order to keep us safe.

By continually sampling high risk properties and land areas, and by consistently testing for dangerous contaminants, bacteria and other pollutants, we can improve our water quality, safety and the health of our ecosystems and populations. 

Torrent Laboratory has been working with communities and industries to provide excellent stormwater runoff pollution analysis for over 25 years. Our efforts to control harmful pollutants and the sources of these pollutants have helped hundreds of communities improve their water quality and their local marine and freshwater environments.

Torrent Lab always works in close cooperation with municipal, regional, state and federal regulatory agencies to help your business meet the stringent regulatory requirements for industrial wastewater, landfills, highways, parking lots and other land uses. Torrent’s stormwater testing procedures have been carefully developed (and improved over the years) to identify a long list of regulated pollutants. We are also capable of identifying specific pollutants that are concerning in certain regions and states for special regulation because there is a potential for high concentrations. We stay aware of changes in specific regulations so our clients can trust our reports completely.

Torrent Laboratory partners with your business for stormwater testing, stormwater runoff analysis, remediation and stormwater monitoring plans. Our fully certified lab provides the highest quality testing with the most advanced technologies and fastest turn around times.
It is our distinct privilege to partner with regulatory boards, industries, developers and communities to meet and exceed all regulatory requirements in order to benefit and enhance the health and future of all of us.