Strong SPCC plan can reduce the likelihood of occurrence of sudden oil spills

The term “SPCC Plan,” as used in federal regulations under the Clean Water Act, stands for “Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan.” An Oil SPCC plan is a plan prepared in accordance with good engineering practices to prevent and clean up spills from oil storage tanks. “Oil” as defined in the federal regulations includes petroleum oils such as gasoline, diesel and heating oil as well as non-petroleum oils such as animal or vegetable oils, synthetic oils, and mineral oils.

An SPCC plan lists the containment equipment and structures used to prevent spills from reaching ground water or surface water, and it identifies the inspection, monitoring and oil transfer procedures that will be followed to prevent a spill. The SPCC Plan applies to non-transportation-related onshore or offshore facilities engaged in drilling, producing, gathering, storing, processing, refining, transferring, distributing, using or consuming oil and oil products.

The federal SPCC plan requirements apply specifically to oil storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons and where a discharge could reach a navigable water body, either directly or indirectly. Any oil storage container or tank that is 55 gallons or larger in size counts towards the total aggregate storage capacity. Most areas in Maine are considered locations where a discharge could reach navigable waters.

SPCC Plan Requirements

• The SPCC Plan must fulfill all applicable requirements of 40 CFR 112.
• Facilities must maintain a copy of the SPCC Plan onsite.
• Facilities must implement the procedures outlined in the SPCC Plan.
• The SPCC Plan must be reviewed and updated every 5 years.

Author-Bio

If a spill occurs, a well-developed Oil SPCC plan will identify whom to call, and will specify steps, or “countermeasures,” to contain the spill and minimize environmental impacts. With strong SPCC plan in place, accidental oil spills are far less likely to occur. At Quest Consultants, you will be provided with complete SPCC services and training for development of well organized SPCC plan so that the danger caused by sudden oil spills to the environment can be prevented. For more details on this topic, visit http://www.questinc2.com/.

Necessary components of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

The SWPPP must include the following components:

• A description of the construction activities and the potential for sediment and other pollutant discharges from the site.
• Maps showing the locations of all surface waters, including wetlands, stormwater ponds or basins within one mile of the site.
• Areas of the site that will drain to a public water the Department of Natural Resources has promulgated “work in water restrictions” for fish spawning timeframes.
• A determination whether surface waters within one mile of the site are special or impaired for one of the construction-related parameters and additional or enhanced BMPs that will be utilized to address the special or impaired waters.
• Stormwater pollution mitigation measures to be utilized as a result of an environmental review.
• Additional measures needed at the site to address karst or drinking water supply management areas.
• Training documentation for all individuals required to be trained in associated duties in regard to the SWPPP.
• A site map showing both the existing and final grades, including direction of flow and pre and post drainage area divides. The site map must also include locations of steep slopes, impervious surfaces, soil types, and pollutant-generating activities (building products, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, treatment chemicals, hazardous materials, solid waste, portable toilets, etc.).
• Estimated quantities of all erosion prevention and sediment control BMPs to be used for the life of the project.
• Stormwater design specifications and calculations for stormwater management systems, including the number of acres of existing and new impervious surfaces.

The following factors must be accounted for in design of BMPs to be used at the site:

• the amount, frequency, intensity and duration of precipitation.
• stormwater runoff and run-on and expected flow from impervious surfaces.
• slope lengths and steepness, the site location and drainage features.
• flow rate and volume of channelized flow.
• soil types.
• Timing of installation for all erosion prevention and sediment control BMPs and permanent stormwater management systems.
• Location and type of all permanent and temporary erosion prevention and sediment control BMPs to be installed at the site along with procedures to establish additional BMPs as necessary.
• A description of methods to be used for site dewatering and basin draining.
• Areas not to be disturbed on the site, including the location of buffer zones.
• Locations of areas to be phased to minimize duration of exposed soils.
• Methods to minimize soil compaction and preserve top soil at the site.
• Methods used to achieve final stabilization.Image Courtesy of Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.

The NPDES permit requires that all erosion and sediment BMPS be clearly outlined in a site’s SWPPP. Changes made throughout construction should be documented in the SWPPP.

• Documentation why certain design requirements or SWPPP components are not feasible and the methods to be substituted as allowable by the permit.
• A maintenance plan for permanent stormwater treatment systems, including who will maintain the system.
• A description of pollution prevention measures for storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, solid waste, concrete and equipment wash water, portable toilets, construction products and materials.
• Plans for proper use of sediment treatment chemicals (polymers, flocculants, etc.).
• A description of inspection and maintenance activities and record keeping.
• Procedures for terminating permit coverage.

Author – Bio

It is very important to understand the necessary components of SWPPP so as to prepare and implement an effective SWPPP plan. Quest Consultants & Associate’s SWPPP Professionals all have the expertise to assist clients in better understanding all aspects of SWPPP management through onsite training and education services. Please visit http://www.questinc2.com/for more complete details on SWPPP.

Preparation of SPCC plan for a small business facility

Any small business that maintains a total aboveground oil storage capacity of greater than 1,320 gallons, or a total undergrounds oil storage capacity of greater than 42,000 gallons, where there is a reasonable potential for a discharge to reach navigable waters is subject to SPCC regulatory requirements.

Aboveground storage containers with a capacity of 55-gallons or more are included in the aboveground capacity threshold calculation. Underground storage tanks regulated under 40 CFR 280 and 281 are not subject to the SPCC regulations.

A facility is subject to the SPCC regulations if it could be reasonably expected that oil discharged from the facility would reach navigable waters. This determination is based upon considerations of the geography and terrain (such as proximity to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, land contour, drainage patterns, and types of soil and rock). It should be noted that manmade features that act as secondary containment and that serve to restrain, hinder, contain, or otherwise prevent a discharge are excluded from consideration in this determination.

A small business facility must prepare a SPCC Plan if it has an aggregate aboveground storage capacity of greater than 1,320 gallons where spilled oil may reasonably be expected to reach navigable waters. Only containers of oil with a capacity of 55-gallons or greater are counted toward this aggregate capacity threshold.

An SPCC plan is also required if a small business facility has a completely buried storage capacity of greater than 42,000 gallons of oil that may reasonably be expected to reach navigable waters if discharged. (Note this does not apply tounderground storage tanks regulated under 40 CFR 280 and 281).

The small business is required to prepare a SPCC Plan, and have the plan certified by a Registered Professional Engineer, or be selfcertified if it is a qualified facility.

The SPCC Plan must clearly address the following:

• Operating procedures to prevent oil spills;
• Control measures to prevent a spill from reaching navigable waters; and
• Countermeasures to contain, clean up, and mitigate the effects of an oil spill that reaches navigable waters.

Author – Bio :

Although a SPCC plan must have the above information, each SPCC plan will be unique to the specific facility, operations, and location. Development of an SPCC Plan requires detailed knowledge of the facility, including the location and capacity of oil-based storage, and the potential effects an oil spill could have on the area environment and natural resources. Quest Consultants provides SPCC sevices to its clients and also assists them in better understanding of SPCC plan. Please visit http://www.questinc2.com/for more insights.

Impact of wastewater on environment and the importance of WWTP management

Pollution control has been changed by advances in scientific knowledge, because there is a connection of environmental contamination with the ability to measure it. With greater understanding of the impact of wastewater on the environment and more sophisticated analytical methods, advanced treatment is becoming more common. The assessment of biological effects of wastewater discharges in the ecosystems is today considered relevant and ecotoxicological tests identifying the ecological hazard are useful tools for the identification of environmental impacts.

Sewage treatment is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, including household sewage and runoff (effluents) and stormwater runoff. It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants. Its objective is to produce an environmentally safe fluid waste stream (or treated effluent) and a solid waste (or treated sludge) suitable for disposal or reuse (usually as farm fertilizer). Using advanced WWTP Management technology it is now possible to re-use sewage effluent for drinking water.

The major aim of wastewater treatment is to remove as much of the suspended solids as possible before the remaining water, called effluent, is discharged back to the environment. As solid material decays, it uses up oxygen, which is needed by the plants and animals living in the water. “Primary treatment” removes about 60 percent of suspended solids from wastewater. This treatment also involves aerating (stirring up) the wastewater, to put oxygen back in. Secondary treatment removes more than 90 percent of suspended solids.

A WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) removes a variety of contaminants from water to make it usable again. They treat the water that goes down our drains before releasing it back into the environment.  WWTP management is necessary because it is the process that removes chemical and biological wastes in contaminated waters, thereby permitting the reuse of the water in other applications.

Author – Bio

If wastewater is not properly treated, then the environment and human health can be negatively impacted. These impacts can include harm to fish and wildlife populations, oxygen depletion, beach closures and other restrictions on recreational water use, restrictions on fish and shellfish harvesting and contamination of drinking water. At Quest Consultants, we will customize an on-site WWTP Management service for your WWTP to meet and surpass your facilities regulatory treatment requirements to assure compliance with all State and Federal regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.questinc2.com/.

SWPPP plan is the most effective way to prevent nonpoint source pollution discharging from a construction site

A SWPPP is a plan that describes the strategies and steps that will be taken to prevent nonpoint source pollution discharging from a construction site. The SWPPP is a valuable tool and will become the backbone of the entire construction process related to erosion and sediment control and stormwater management, both during construction and post construction. The SWPPP includes a description of all construction activity, temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control BMPs, permanent stormwater management, and other pollution prevention techniques to be implemented throughout the life of the construction project. The SWPPP includes a combination of narrative plans and standard detail sheets that address the foreseeable conditions at any stage of construction.

All construction projects disturbing one acre or more or that are part of a larger common plan of development that ultimately disturbs one acre or more are required to apply for an NPDES/SDS Construction Stormwater permit through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The permit states that prior to submitting a permit application, the owner must develop a SWPPP for the construction site. The SWPPP is the plan developed by and for the permittees addressing how they are to meet the requirements and conditions of the CSW general permit specifically for their site. Site conditions, soil types and expected precipitation will be different for each site and the permittee must select the best and cost effective best management practices (BMPs) and installation locations for their particular site. The SWPPP is to be kept at the site for the duration of the project and retained in files for three years after the project is completed. If the construction project disturbs 50 acres or more and discharges to a special or impaired water, the SWPPP must be submitted along with the permit application to the MPCA 30 days prior to the start of any construction activity.

Author – Bio

Everyone has a part to play. Reducing the pollution depends on every person preventing harmful natural or chemical substances entering the drains. Planning ahead is the most effective way to minimize erosion and sedimentation during construction and reduce project costs. A well organized and planned out SWPPP will assist in the prevention of unnecessary permit violations and save the owner and contractor time, money, and effort over the course of the project. Quest Consultants offers SWPPP Stormwater pollution prevention training for all essential employees. To know more insights visit http://www.questinc2.com/.