FAQ - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NPDES Presentation (pdf)
Dewatering Permit FAQ (pdf)

• Why do I need Public Works N.P.D.E.S. permit?

  A Public Works N.P.D.E.S. (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit is required under the City of Miami Ordinance 13081 adopted August 9, 2009 for compliance with Florida Statutes. In the City of Miami, this permit applies to construction or demolition sites that will be disturbing 0.5 acres (21,780 square feet) or more of total land area. All methods of construction shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws as required by the City of Miami’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit number FLS000002.

• What do I need to obtain a Public Works N.P.D.E.S. permit?

  A. You will need the following items for projects disturbing 0.5 acres to 1.0 acres (21,780 to 43,560 square feet):
  - Two (2) complete signed and sealed Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) that comply with the most recent versions of the FDEP/FDOT Erosion and Sediment Control Designer and Reviewer Manual and/or the Florida Stormwater,Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s Manual, and Public Works Standards.
  - $115 permit review fee to the City of Miami.
  
  B. You will need the following items for projects disturbing 1 to 4.99 acres (43,560 to 217,799.99 square feet):
  - Two (2) complete signed and sealed Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) that comply with the most recent versions of the FDEP/FDOT Erosion and Sediment Control Designer and Reviewer Manual and/or the Florida Stormwater,Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s Manual, and Public Works Standards.
  - $115 permit review fee to the City of Miami.
  
  C. You will need the following items for projects disturbing more than 5 acres (217,800 square feet):
  - Two (2) complete signed and sealed Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) that comply with the most recent versions of the FDEP/FDOT Erosion and Sediment Control Designer and Reviewer Manual and/or the Florida Stormwater,Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s Manual, and Public Works Standards.
  - $115 permit review fee to the City of Miami.
  - FDEP Permit Letter of Permit Coverage with the corresponding FLR#. FDEP charges an additional permit fee. In order to obtain the FDEP permit, a notice of intent must be submitted to FDEP. fFor more information, please contact www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes.

• Do I need to call for a Cityan NPDES inspection?

  Yes, the Contractor shall contact the NPDES Section at (305) 416-1288 for the initial and final erosion and sediment control inspection of the construction site. The initial inspection will consist of making sure that the best management practices in the approved SWPPP are in place and all the storm sewer inlets in the vicinity of the construction are protected and free of debris. The City inspector will be conducting a thorough inspection of the construction site on a weekly basis or after ¾” rain storm event. A copy of the inspection report is available for review in the Public Works Department. A final inspection will be satisfactory once all the construction is finalized and the storm sewer system is cleaned. Not following best management practices can place a hold in obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy and create unnecessary cost (violation fees) to the Contractor.

• Do I need to perform my own NPDES inspections?

  Yes. City of Miami Ordinance 13081 and State of Florida law require the Operator of the construction site to perform erosion and sediment control inspections at least weekly and after each 0.5 inch rain event. The person performing the inspections must be qualified to perform stormwater and erosion control inspections in accordance with Section 403.0885, Florida Statutes. The SWPPP, records of the erosion and sediment control inspections performed, and records any repairs or modifications made to best management practices must be maintained on-site for the duration of the project.

• I have to pump water away from part or all of my site because I have standing water onsite and I need to work in a dry condition. Do I need a permit?

  Yes.

• I already have a stormwater permit from DERM. Do I need the City approval too?

  Yes. What you received from DERM was an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) which is necessary for the construction of stormwater management and conveyance systems. The City of Miami NPDES approval is a different process. If it satisfies the City’s requirements, you may be able to submit the SWPPP developed for the ERP to the City as part of the NPDES approval.

• I’ll be pouring concrete as part of my project. Can I use the storm drains to drain the water that is used to rinse off the concrete trucks?

  NO! Excess concrete and concrete washwater can only be disposed into approved watertight concrete washout areas. These areas should be clearly shown on the SWPPP with a detail included. Concrete washwater and wet concrete are caustic and must be treated as hazardous waste. It should never be washed or placed in storm drains or on the public right-of-way.

• I am a contractor working on a City of Miami or School Board or FDOT or Miami-Dade County or a Ffederal funded project. I’m exempt from these requirements?

  No. The NPDES approval process applies to all entities working within City of Miami limits, without exception, including public agencies and utilities.

• I implemented all the measures listed in my approved SWPPP but there are still erosion and sediment problems on my site. I’m still in compliance, right?

  No. The State of Florida and City of Miami NPDES laws are performance-based. This means that your erosion and sediment control measures have to work in order for the site to be in compliance. If they don’t work, the Operator is responsible for strengthening or changing the practices so that they do work. All such changes must be recorded in the SWPPP kept onsite and are subject to Public Works NPDES Section approval.

• What to avoid?

  - Dirt or other Ppollution entering the City of Miami Storm Sewer System. Protect all the storm water systems as indicated in the initial inspection and the approved SWPPP.
  - Dewatering turbid excavated water (no more than > 29 NTU) in the public right of way.
  - Do not start clearing and grading, demolition, or construction without a City of Miami NPDES permit permitapproval.
  - Do not remove or relocate any trees without the benefit of a tree permit.
  - Maintain all best management practices in good condition and practice good housekeeping.
  - Violations Fine for non-compliance run fromis $1,000 to up to $5,000per violation per day per City Ordinance 13081.
  - Oil and diesel spills must be contained and treated immediately and a report filed with the City and DERM.
  - Please call Public Works NPDES Section for additional information at (305) 416- 1295.