A Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) is issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for industrial activities with selected Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC) codes. These activities can contribute pollutants to surface waters. The methods of preventing pollutants from entering stormwater include the following:
- Keeping pollutants out of the rain,
- Maximizing the porous area & infiltrating runoff,
- Collecting the flow on-site,
- Maintaining riparian buffers,
- Treating the water before it flows off the site, and
- Obtaining an Industrial Wastewater Discharge permit for regulated wastes.
|
 |
The SIC codes are grouped into the following sectors:
A. Timber Products
B. Paper and Allied Products
C. Chemicals and Allied Products
D. Asphalt Paving, Roofing Materials, Lubricants
E. Glass, Clay, Cement & Gypsum Products
F. Primary Metals
G. Metal Mining
H. Coal Mines & Related Facilities
I. Oil & Gas Extraction
J. Non-metallic Mineral Mining & Dressing
K. Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage or Disposal Facilities
L. Landfills, Land Application Sites, Open Dumps
M. Automotive Salvage yards
N. Scrap Recycling Facilities
O. Steam Electric Generating Facilities
P. Land Transportation and Warehousing
Q. Water Transportation |
R. Ship and Boat Building and Repair Yards
S. Air Transportation Facilities
T. Treatment Works
U. Food and Kindred Products
V. Textile Mills, Apparel & Other Fabric Product
Manufacturing; Leather Products
W. Furniture and Fixtures
X. Printing and Publishing
Y. Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, &
Misc. Industries
Z. Leather Tanning and Finishing
AA. Fabricated Metal Products
AB. Transportation Equipment; Industrial
Commercial Machinery
AC. Electronic, Electrical , Photographic and
Optical Goods
AD. Stormwater Discharges Designated by the
Director as Requiring Permits |
This permit is required by the Clean Water Act (CWA) and functions ”to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.” The waters include desert washes, intermittent streams, lakes, wetlands, and their tributaries.
1. Obtaining an MSGP from ADEQ
To obtain an MSGP from ADEQ, register for a free myDEQ account and then apply for an AZPDES MSGP Notice of Intent (NOI). If your industry is in mining apply for an AZPDES Mining MSGP (Sectors G, H, I, J) NOI. Applicants need to identify their SIC code. Websites useful in determining a SIC Code include the following:
While completing the application, ADEQ's 2019 MSGP or EPA's website for industrial activities may be useful references. EPA provides guidance documents for completing a site specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) as well as a monitoring and sampling plan. Pima County MapGuide may be used to prepare the general map and the site map (Tips to use MapGuide). Application fees depend upon the size of the facility and range from $350 to $1,000.
Facilities with industrial materials and activities protected by storm-resistant shelters may apply for a No Exposure Certification (NEC). EPA provides guidance for this certification. Facilities must maintain the no exposure condition during the coverage or apply for an MSGP. Permit holders must re-apply every five years.
2. Manage Your Facility for Clean Stormwater
Keep a current SWPPP on-site during operation of the facility. The SWPPP should identify the stormwater team, a summary of potential pollutants, control measures to prevent discharges, records of inspections, maintenance actions, and corrective actions.
For industrial wastewater generated at a facility, an Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit may be needed for releases to Pima County's Sanitary Sewer.
Check the progress of your facility with the following methods:
- Perform routine inspections each quarter and follow up on any condition requiring a corrective action,
- Perform Comprehensive Facility inspections each year,
- Perform Visual Assessments of stormwater, twice each rainy season, and
- Summer: June - October
- Winter: November - May
- If required for your sector, collect stormwater samples and submit them to a licensed laboratory.
If you collect stormwater samples,EPA's Monitoring and Sampling Guide (March 2009) provides instructions about collecting the samples as well as coordinating with a laboratory. To find a nearby licensed laboratory, call Arizona Department of Health Services at (602)364-0720. If a benchmark value is based on hardness be sure to tell the laboratory to include Hardness in the list of analytes for your stormwater sample(s).
3. Transferring ownership
When ownership of a facility is being transferred or ended, file a Notice of Termination (NOT) with the myDEQ account. ADEQ will consider the site to be active under the owner until an NOT has been filed.
File an annual report by July 15th for the reporting period of June 1st through May 31st.