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Puddle Problems: Five Ways for Retailers to Address Stormwater Management

Learn the best solutions for navigating stormwater runoff in retail and industrial spaces.

Eric Esser, environmental manager at APTIM, has more than 16 years of experience in developing and managing corporate environmental and transportation compliance programs, including working with applicable software programs and building relationships with private- and public-sector clients.THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Eric Esser, Environmental Manager
APTIM | Environmental & Energy Solutions
Eric.Esser@APTIM.com
Eric has more than 16 years of experience in developing and managing corporate environmental and transportation compliance programs, including working with applicable software programs and building relationships with private- and public-sector clients.

 

 

Five Ways for Retailers to Address Stormwater Management

Addressing Stormwater Runoff in the US

Growth patterns and changes in land use have fundamentally changed the characteristics of land cover and imperviousness within the US. For example, a parking lot might be 95 percent impervious, a residential lawn might be 40 percent impervious, and natural land covers are nearly 0 percent impervious (Anacostia Restoration Team, 1991).

With increased imperviousness, water is transported directly to waterbodies rather than being filtered through soil. This significantly impacts ground water recharge, retention of rainfall, and overall water quality due to increased runoff that transports pollutants directly to surface water.

In 1972, the Clean Water Act (CWA) was established by the US Environmental Protection Agency to address the pressing stormwater issues that the US was facing. The CWA regulates discharges of pollutants into the waters of the US and establishes quality standards for surface waters. As a result, permits are issued under the CWA to certain entities by federal, state, and local level authorities that may discharge these pollutants.

Retail Compliance With Stormwater Regulations

The retail community is identified as an entity that is required to comply with state and federal stormwater regulations under the CWA. Sites are generally lumped into two categories: those that are fully permitted with a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) Best Management Plan (BMP) and those operating under a Notice of No Exposure Certification (NEC). A general overview of MSGP’s and NEC’s is provided below.

  • Fully permitted facilities are required to apply for full permit coverage that requires development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), BMPs, inspections, monitoring, reporting, and employee training.
  • The second option is to eliminate potential sources of pollution at a facility and submit an NEC. The NEC option eliminates most permitting requirements and only requires resubmission every five years UNLESS exposure occurs at that site at any time during the five-year term. If exposure occurs, full permit coverage is required.

Stormwater Management Challenges and Solutions for Retailers

Here are five challenges that retail facilities, including large chain stores, can face when it comes to stormwater management—and their solutions!

  1. Impervious Surfaces: Retail facilities typically have large parking lots, rooftops, and other impervious surfaces that prevent water from infiltrating into the ground. These surfaces increase the speed of stormwater runoff leading to flooding, erosion, and pollution in nearby waterways. Solution: Implement green infrastructure solutions like permeable pavements, green roofs, and rain gardens to allow water infiltration and reduce runoff speed. Use bioswales and retention basins to manage excess water and prevent flooding.
  2. Onsite Activities: Parking lot use and maintenance, loading and unloading areas, waste management, and outdoor storage are just a few of the onsite activities that impact stormwater management. These activities may result in litter and debris, leachate, hazardous chemical spills, etc. that can be washed away during rain events. Solution: Develop a comprehensive SWPPP that includes regular cleaning schedules, spill response protocols, and proper waste disposal methods. Train staff on best practices for minimizing pollution from onsite activities.
  3. Stormwater Maintenance: Stormwater management systems are typically included in new store/warehouse design and construction to help manage stormwater runoff. These stormwater management systems require routine maintenance to function effectively. Solution: Establish a routine maintenance schedule for stormwater systems, including inspections, cleaning, and repairs. Use technology like sensors to monitor system performance and identify issues early.
  4. Space Constraints: Retail establishments look to maximize valuable parking areas. Finding adequate space for effective stormwater management systems can be difficult. Solution: Utilize multi-functional spaces, such as parking lots with integrated stormwater management features like permeable pavements or underground storage systems. Collaborate with local authorities to explore shared stormwater solutions.
  5. Responsible Party: Many retailers lease their space. Lease terms may vary on who is responsible for the parking lot and stormwater structure maintenance. Solution: Clearly define maintenance responsibilities in lease agreements. Consider shared maintenance agreements or hiring third-party services to ensure consistent upkeep of stormwater systems.

Stormwater Management With APTIM

The ability to address stormwater management and effectively implement programs can be a challenge. Therefore, it is critical to have a good process, deep understanding of the regulatory requirements, and well-trained and efficient teams. Ensuring that your SWPPP is accurately developed and up to date—along with conducting routine inspections, sampling, monitoring, and reporting services—is necessary to remain compliant.

Validating proper permitting, inspections, and maintenance of retail stormwater systems are conducted can help reduce maintenance cost, fines, and liability. It also plays a critical part in flood management and prevention in residential and commercial areas. If you would like guidance on how to properly maintain stormwater systems and certify compliance, contact me at Eric.Esser@APTIM.com. We are proud to collaborate with our retail partners on their stormwater management needs.

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