A:  The rules concerning portable toilets vary depending on the state, county, or city in which the project is located. A good rule of thumb is to always check the section of the regulations or ordinance that pertains to the management practices. This section usually discusses how control measures must be properly selected, installed, and maintained.

A:  Paradigm prices our services in a variety of ways depending on the service selected. Our Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and Inspection Services are priced based on project acreage; training is based upon the number of students; consulting is based on an hourly basis; and all other products are priced on the individual unit prices.

A:  A delegation letter is written authorization that delegates the responsibility of signing reports to the “duly authorized representative.” Most of the states’ storm water permits follow EPA’s signatory requirements, which state: All reports required by a permit must be signed by (a) for a corporation-a responsible corporate officer; (b) for a partnership-by a general partner; (c) for a sole proprietorship-by the proprietor; (d) for a municipality, state, federal or other public agency-by a principal executive officer, mayor, or ranking elected official, or (e) a duly authorized representative of a person described in (a), (b), (c), or (d). A person is a duly authorized representative only if: (1) the authorization is made in writing by a person described in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above, (2) the authorization specifies either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position, and (3) the signed and dated written authorization is included in the SWPPP. The Delegation Letter is the “written authorization.” Although the federal NPDES permit only requires that the written authorization be included in the SWPPP, some states also require it to be submitted to the agency. The Delegation Letter relieves a person described in (a), (b), (c), or (d) above from signing reports (e.g. inspection reports) and delegates that responsibility to the “duly authorized representative.”

A:  Regulations state that if a BMP is installed it is required to be maintained. If a BMP is no longer needed; however, the BMP needs to be properly removed. Important Note: BMPs that are reflected on your site map must be maintained until the permit is closed. The on-site map should be updated to include any BMPs that are removed or added.

A:  BMPs should be installed per manufacture specifications. Detailed drawings of typical BMPs are required to be in the back of the SWPPP. Proper installation varies from state to state, so check the state's BMP manual.

A:  The BMP should be installed per the Civil Engineer's Erosion Control Plans. Knowing the difference between erosion control BMPs and sediment control BMPs is a critical first step.

A:  A silt fence that is not trenched in. A grass mesh that is not stapled down. Or, inlet protections that do not cover the entire inlet. BMPs also include practices on site. Examples of poor practice include failure to install or use concrete or paint washout, poor control of trash on site, and lack of cover of hazardous materials.

A:  Storm water run-off is rainfall (or snowmelt) that flows over our yards, streets, alleys, parking lots, and buildings and enters the storm drain (or gutter) in your street.

A:  Storm water run-off is a problem because anything that goes into a storm drain will eventually empty into the nearest creek, lake, or river. It doesn’t go to a water treatment facility.

A:  Storm water pollution has harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, and wildlife.