A SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) is the written plan that describes how a construction or industrial site keeps dirt, concrete washout, fuel and other pollutants out of storm drains and streams. Federal and state permits require one before ground is disturbed, and inspectors check the site against it while work is under way.
These guides explain the rules in plain language: who needs a plan, which permit applies, how often a site must be inspected, and what it costs. Most examples are from New Mexico and Arizona, where Inspections Plus works.
Informational use only. This tool and its reports do not constitute legal, engineering, or regulatory-compliance advice. Parcel, environmental, permit, and compliance data is aggregated from federal, state, county, third-party, and open-source public databases and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. AI-generated summaries may contain errors. All content is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Always confirm requirements with the authority having jurisdiction before acting. See the full Terms & Disclaimer.
15 articles
A solo SWPPP consultant may be technically competent — but competence is only one of the risks you are taking. No E&O coverage, no liability insurance, no backup capacity for 24-hour post-storm inspections, and no business continuity mean that when something goes wrong, the exposure stays with you.
The Construction General Permit and the Multi-Sector General Permit are two completely different SWPPP compliance paths. One covers temporary construction activity; the other covers permanent industrial stormwater discharges. This guide explains which applies to you — and when you need both.
The answer depends entirely on your state and your receiving water. Federal CGP states allow construction 7 days after NOI submission. New Mexico and Arizona require a written authorization letter before you touch the dirt — and that takes 7–14 business days to arrive. Getting this wrong is a strict-liability violation.
The Water Quality Control Commission is holding hearings June 8-18, 2026 to adopt updated NMPDES construction stormwater rules. Here is what every contractor and developer needs to know before the deadline.
Everything construction operators in New Mexico need to know about NMPDES coverage, Notice of Intent submission, SWPPP requirements, and the upcoming 2026 rule changes.
The 2021 EPA Multi-Sector General Permit expired February 28, 2026 and is now on administrative continuance. Industrial stormwater operators must understand what this means for their coverage, inspections, and compliance obligations under the administratively continued permit.
Arizona's AZPDES Construction General Permit has specific requirements that differ from the federal CGP -- including monsoon season provisions, unique BMP standards, and ADEQ enforcement priorities. This guide covers everything Arizona construction operators need to know in 2026.
SWPPP costs range from $800 to $10,000+ depending on site size, state, complexity, and whether a PE stamp is required. This guide breaks down every cost component so you can budget accurately and avoid surprise expenses.
SWPPP and SPCC are both EPA-required compliance plans, but they cover completely different regulatory obligations. This guide explains the critical differences, when you need each one, and when a facility needs both.
The 1-acre threshold for NPDES stormwater permit coverage is widely known but widely misunderstood. This guide explains what counts as disturbance, the common plan of development rule, and how to determine if your project requires a permit.
New Mexico is proposing mandatory SWPPP inspector credentials under the 2026 WQCC rulemaking. This guide explains what qualifications are being required, how to get certified, and why hiring a credentialed inspection provider before the rule takes effect is your best risk management move.
How often does your construction site need a SWPPP inspection? The answer depends on your permit type, state, weather conditions, and site risk classification. This guide breaks down inspection frequency requirements for every major permit program.
A practical installation guide for the most common erosion control and sediment control BMPs on construction sites -- covering silt fence, compost sock, sediment basins, inlet protection, and more, with spec requirements and common installation failures.
New Mexico SWPPP requirements under NMPDES differ from the federal CGP in several critical ways. This guide covers everything NM construction operators need to know about permit coverage, SWPPP content, inspection requirements, and the 2026 WQCC rulemaking changes.
A SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) is the federal and state-required compliance document for construction sites disturbing one acre or more. This guide explains what it is, who needs one, what goes in it, and how to stay compliant.