Street sweeping is a non-structural best management practice (BMP) that can serve the entire community. Street sweepers equipped with catch basin cleaners can go to work immediately after purchase as opposed to structural BMPs like storm ponds that only serve a dedicated area and require engineering and construction. This makes sweeping the most cost effective BMP per impervious acre treated [King, Hagen, 2011]
Effective January of 2017, the EPA Final MS4 General Permit Remand Rule requires “clear, specific, and measurable permitting” conditions for measuring BMP implementation. In addition, MS4s that discharge to impaired waters must develop a total maximum discharge limit (TMDL) strategy and plan to reduce sediment, phosphorous, and nitrogen discharged into protected watersheds. The new ruling also requires greater public participation in the NPDES permitting process.
Schwarze wants to be your NPDES permit compliance partner.
Schwarze and our global dealer network understands your challenges and helps stormwater managers meet these conditions while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We work with municipalities to implement the correct sweeping technology to meet local EPA and state guidelines for impervious acre treatment and TMDL reduction. We also make sure the correct features are included to optimize municipal sweeping programs such as:
Please view our case study videos to see how these technologies are helping communities across North America achieve compliance with local stormwater regulations.
Public Participation
Since public participation is required in the permitting process, we also work with stormwater managers on outreach and education. Citizens like to see their tax dollars at work in the community, but often don’t make the connection between street sweeping and stormwater. We work with stormwater managers to get the message out, engage the public, and ultimately gain their participation. Here are some ideas: