Water Quality - Frequently Asked Questions
Use the links below to jump to a specific answer or read all of the questions and answers.
1) Who must obtain coverage under the State construction stormwater permit?
2) Who is a construction site operator?
3) How does an operator obtain coverage under the stormwater permit?
4) Who do I get to prepare my SWPPP?
5) What do I do with my SWPPP after I have prepared it?
6) How do I select the proper Best Management Practices (BMPs)?
7) How can I get more information on stormwater issues in the Las Vegas Valley?
8) What is the Clean Water Act?
9) What is a County 208 Plan?
10) What are the roles and responsibilities of the Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management (DAQEM) water quality planning team?
11) Is sewage wastewater recycled?
12) Does storm water drain to Lake Mead?
13) What is the population of Clark County?
Questions & Answers:
1) Who must obtain coverage under the State construction stormwater permit?
Construction site operators who plan to:
- Disturb 1 acre or more of land or
- Be part of a larger development or sale disturbing more than 1 total acre, and/or
- Discharge stormwater runoff into Las Vegas Valley storm sewer
http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/conperm02.pdf
2) Who is a construction site operator?
An operator is someone who maintains either:
1) Operational control over construction plans and specifications, or
2) Day-to-day operational control over compliance with a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan ( SWPPP)
3) How does an operator obtain coverage under the stormwater permit?
Permit coverage is obtained from the State of Nevada, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) by:
a) Filing a Notice of Intent ( NOI):
Electronic filing with NDEP at: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/ConstructionNOI/signin.aspx
b) Paying a construction stormwater permit fee: $200 check mailed to NDEP in Carson City to the address at: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/storm_cont03.htm
Note: Construction site operator or manager should allow for approximately a one-month lead time before breaking ground on the site from the time of filing an NOI and paying fee for the permit to be processed and issued by NDEP.
c) Preparing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan ( SWPPP) and a site map:
The SWPPP template can be accessed as an online form in Microsoft Word on the NDEP website at: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/tempalte%20swppp.doc
An example of a construction site map can be found at: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/xsitemap.pdf
4) Who do I get to prepare my SWPPP?
SWPPPs can be prepared by any individual qualified to provide the accurate and appropriate information necessary to complete the plan. It does not require special licensing or certification. The preparer can be an in-house employee or from outside the organization, such as a consultant--some of which can be found in the local yellow pages under Environmental or elsewhere. However, it is the responsibility of the site operator and owner to ensure that the contents of the SWPPP are correct and current.
5) What do I do with my SWPPP after I have prepared it?
SWPPP is to be kept onsite with the construction site map
- SWPPP is not filed or submitted to any state or local agency
- SWPPP and site map must be updated as needed as site conditions change
6) How do I select the proper Best Management Practices (BMPs)?
BMPs selections are based on:
- Individual construction site conditions
- Ability of the BMP to handle a 2-year rainstorm In Las Vegas Valley this = 1.2 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.
7) How can I get more information on stormwater issues in the Las Vegas Valley?
The Las Vegas Stormwater Quality Management Committee maintains a website containing valuable information on stormwater issues for the construction industry at http://www.lvstormwater.com.
Additional information and support is available through the following local entities:
8) What is the Clean Water Act?
Set of laws passed in 1972 to regulate water pollution in the US. This was the first-ever federal regulation of water pollution, and it gave the EPA the right to set standards and enforce them. The goal of this act was to completely stop the discharge of pollutants into the Waters of the United States. There have been amendments to this act since it was first enacted in 1972.
9) What is a County 208 Plan?
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) Section 208, requires that all activities associated with water pollution problems must be planned and managed through an integrated, area-wide water quality management program through a 20 year planning horizon.
10) What are the roles and responsibilities of the Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management (DAQEM) water quality planning team?
DAQEM has been designated by the Clark County Board of County Commissioners as the department to manage and administer the water quality planning activities.
11) Is sewage wastewater recycled?
Yes it is. Clark County, the City of Las Vegas, and the City Henderson have wastewater treatment facilities that treat sewage wastewater. The treated wastewater from these treatment facilities drains into Lake Mead.
12) Does storm water drain to Lake Mead?
Yes storm water drains into Lake Mead and is not pre-treated. Hence, the importance of avoiding storm water contamination.
13) What is the population of Clark County?
The current population estimate of Clark County is 1.8 million people and 70% of the State's population.