Resources · Inspections
Construction Stormwater Inspection Training
Site inspections are how a SWPPP gets checked against reality. Here's a plain-language overview of what construction stormwater inspections cover under EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit "qualified person" standard.
Why Inspections Matter
A SWPPP is only as good as the inspections that verify it's actually working in the field. EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit requires inspections be performed by a "qualified person" and sets expectations for what those inspections cover and how they're documented. See EPA's Construction General Permit Inspector Training page and free Construction Inspection Training Course for the official federal guidance.
Inspection Topics
What a Construction Stormwater Inspection Covers
1. The "Qualified Person" Concept Under EPA's 2022 CGP
EPA's 2022 CGP requires inspections be performed by someone knowledgeable in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control, a "qualified person." EPA does not itself certify individuals for this role; the permittee determines and documents who meets the standard. See Federal vs. California QSP/QSD for how this differs from California's system.
2. Routine Inspections
Most permits require inspections on a set schedule, commonly weekly or biweekly , covering active work areas, BMPs, and discharge points regardless of weather.
3. Rain-Event Inspections
In addition to routine inspections, most permits require an inspection after a qualifying rain event , commonly triggered by around half an inch of rainfall, though the exact threshold varies by permit and jurisdiction. Always check your specific permit's rain-event trigger.
4. BMP Condition Assessment
Checking that erosion and sediment controls are installed correctly, functioning as intended, and free of damage, sediment buildup, or failure. See Stormwater BMP Training for BMP categories in detail.
5. Evidence of Pollutant Discharge
Looking for visible signs that pollutants, sediment, turbid water, chemicals, construction debris, are leaving the site or reaching a storm drain or receiving water.
6. Corrective Action Documentation
Recording any deficiencies found, the corrective action taken or planned, and the date the issue is resolved, typically within a permit-specified timeframe.
7. Inspection Reports
A written record of each inspection: date, weather conditions, inspector name, findings, and any corrective actions, kept as part of the SWPPP documentation. See How to Prepare a SWPPP for how inspection records fit into the broader plan.
8. Photo Documentation
Many inspectors supplement written reports with dated photographs of BMP condition, deficiencies, and corrective actions, useful both for internal tracking and for demonstrating compliance.
9. Permit Deadlines
Most permits set specific timeframes for completing corrective actions and submitting reports. Missing these deadlines is a common source of permit violations, independent of whether the underlying BMP issue itself was minor.
10. EPA's 2022 CGP Training Requirements
EPA's 2022 CGP references training as part of establishing "qualified person" status. Review EPA's own inspector training requirements and evaluate any course, including the courses on this site, against your specific permit's exact language.
Go Deeper
Learn Field Inspections in Depth
This page is a general overview. QSP Practitioner / Field Inspection Training covers recognizing stormwater hazards, BMP selection and maintenance, and inspection and reporting practices in depth for anyone performing site inspections.
This page is for general education only. stormwaterplanning.us does not claim EPA approval, EPA endorsement, or NPDES certification for its courses. Always evaluate training against your specific permit's requirements.
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