WPCP vs. a SWPPP

Protected: DEV Test: When Do You Need a WPCP vs. a SWPPP in California?

Understanding whether a project may involve Water Pollution Control Plans or a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is an important step before construction activities begin.
Ram Mohseni
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Ram Mohseni
Founder and Principal, SoCal Stormwater Runoff Solution Services
MSCEEITCPESCQSDQSPQISP
Ram Mohseni, MSCE, EIT, CPESC, QSD, QSP, QISP, is the Founder and Principal of SoCal Stormwater Runoff Solution Services. He has more than 18 years of experience in stormwater management, environmental compliance, civil engineering, and construction-related regulatory consulting. Ram holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Management from California State University, Long Beach. He oversees stormwater-compliance services supporting approximately 300 active construction and industrial projects throughout California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a project under one acre ever require a full SWPPP in California?

California's Construction General Permit may apply when smaller work areas are part of a common plan of development that collectively disturbs one acre or more, which commonly requires SWPPP preparation under the CGP.

For a Caltrans WPCP project, the contractor’s Water Pollution Control Manager must generally be at least a QSP unless the project requires a QSD. Project specifications or the District Permit Engineer may require additional QSD involvement.

Standard WPCPs are not uploaded to SMARTS. They are generally administered through local entities, owners, or contract-management processes rather than statewide CGP enrollment systems.

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