The Short Answer
- A SWPPP (stormwater pollution prevention plan) spells out how a construction site will keep sediment and pollutants out of streams and storm drains.
- Construction sites that disturb one acre or more, or are part of a larger plan that will, generally need stormwater permit coverage and a SWPPP.
- In Tennessee coverage comes through TDEC's Construction General Permit; in Georgia, through Georgia EPD.
What is a SWPPP?
A SWPPP, pronounced "swip", is a stormwater pollution prevention plan. It is a site-specific document describing the erosion and sediment controls that will be installed, how they will be inspected and maintained, and how the site will be stabilized as work progresses.
It is required as part of construction stormwater permit coverage under the federal Clean Water Act program, which states like Tennessee and Georgia administer.
Which construction sites need a SWPPP?
In general, any construction activity that disturbs one acre or more of land needs construction stormwater permit coverage and a SWPPP. Smaller sites can also need coverage if they are part of a larger common plan of development, such as one phase of a subdivision.
Local governments often have their own land disturbance and stormwater rules on top of the state permit, so the exact requirements depend on where the site is.
What is in a typical SWPPP?
The plan pairs drawings with written procedures. Common elements include:
- Site maps showing drainage areas, disturbed areas and receiving waters
- Erosion controls such as silt fence, construction entrances, inlet protection and sediment basins
- Stabilization measures such as seeding, mulch and slope matting
- An inspection schedule, including inspections after significant rain events
- Records of inspections, corrective actions and changes to the plan
Who is responsible for the SWPPP on site?
The permit holder, usually the owner or developer and often the general contractor, is ultimately responsible. In practice the site work contractor installs and maintains most of the controls, because clearing and grading are what expose bare soil in the first place.
That makes erosion control a scheduling issue, not just a compliance one. Controls go in before clearing, move as grading progresses, and come out only once the site is permanently stabilized.
How Brown Bros. handles erosion control
Brown Bros. provides erosion control, sediment control, slope stabilization and SWPPP compliance support as part of its site work scope across Chattanooga and North Georgia. On Hillock Farms, the final phase after 1.2 million cubic yards of earthwork was topsoil, slope matting and stabilization: the work that lets a site close out its stormwater permit.