 Resource Management Associates
NJ Concrete Stormwater Client
Weekly Update - March 5, 2009
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New Permit Training - Webinars & Live Sessions!
The webinar scheduled for Monday, March 2nd has been postponed until Monday, March 9th, at the same time of 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. You should have received separate notification of the webinar. If you'd like to attend and haven't confirmed your attendance with me, email me ASAP! You MUST register with me to attend!
The webinar scheduled for Friday, March 6th is on as scheduled, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. If you haven't registered, and would like to attend, email me immediately - there are just a few spots left!
The live session will be held on Friday, March 20th (8:30 am to 12:30 pm) at the Lanoka Harbor Fire House, located on Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. There is no cost to clients, and refreshments (coffee and donuts) will be provided. If you're going to attend, click here to email Doug Ruhlin to confirm your attendance.
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Sampling Deadlines
The first quarter 2009 is NEARLY DONE! For those of you who are "discharges to surface water", you know that you have to get your first quarter sample before the end of March. DON'T WAIT until the end of the quarter. Recall that from this point on, you only have to monitor for pH (doing it yourself?), TSS, and COD.
"Discharges to groundwater" facilities (or those with both surface water and groundwater discharges), recall that you will begin monitoring April 1st, so we still have some time. Attend one of the training courses to learn more about monitoring.
Also - remember - NO ONE has to do rainfall pH anymore...you still have to do the pH of your discharge sample (ie, the one from your outfall), but not the rainfall collected in a bucket! Don't waste your time with this anymore! |
What if there is NO DISCHARGE?
Your permit requires you to obtain a minimum of ONE sample of stormwater discharge per quarter (regardless of DSW or DGW). Remember, it's the DISCHARGE that needs to be sampled, and not every rainstorm produces a discharge (ie, it may rain, but not enough for a discharge).
But what if there is no discharge, due to freezing or drought conditions? The short answer is simple - not a problem, we then report "NODI" or "no discharge" during that particular quarter. That is an acceptable thing to do.
However, it's a bit more complicated. There are few, if any, 3 month periods during the year when we don't have enough precipitation to produce a discharge. While it would be very difficult to prove that there was, or wasn't, a discharge at your particular site, the NJDEP is going to become quite skeptical of "repeat non-dischargers", as this appears to be an easy way out of sampling! You may wish to keep rainfall records if you truly don't have discharges, in order to document the lack of a discharge during rain events (not required, but a good suggestion), particularly if you have a site that has certain characteristics that make discharges irregular. So, while it may pass during drought or frozen conditions, it isn't likely to escape serious attention during normal weather conditions.
If there isn't a discharge from your site, remember, you MUST complete the "no discharge certification form" and submit it to RMA so that we can then report "NODI" for you on your reporting forms. Copies of the no-discharge certification are available on the RMA website, in the clients access area.
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Available Materials on RMA Website
The RMA website includes a "clients only" area meant for YOU! It includes pre-recorded webinars that you can view at your leisure (along with your employees - providing documentable training for all!), as well as most forms you might need for stormwater work and lots more information. There's even a short training session (on the home page) on how to sign up for the clients only area. Why haven't you signed up yet?
Click here to check out the RMA website.
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PS - A quick reminder that RMA offers a full range of environmental consulting services specifically for the concrete and construction materials industries. Contact RMA for more information on how we can help you meet your objectives!
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