The frequency and purpose of visual and comprehensive inspections are identified in this section of the SWPPP. Station supervisors are provided with directions along with links to the necessary inspection forms that must be filled out according to the frequency or when noted. Inspections are part of the MS4 permit requirements along with the facility SWPPP that outlines how UDOT maintains and ensures facilities minimize any pollutants or illicit spills or discharges. UDOT Maintenance forces must understand that these inspections along with the continual review and updating of the SWPPP is a requirement of UDOT’s MS4 Permit. 

Maintenance Stations are assessed through a combination of inspecting and reviewing reports from monthly, semi-annual, and annual inspections and through frequent ongoing communication with individuals who work in these facilities by the Region Stormwater Coordinators. Any reported spill, illicit discharge, or illegal connection that occurs at a facility should be reported to the station supervisor and Region Stormwater Coordinator. Spills and leaks should be immediately cleaned up using dry methods such as absorbent materials. Washing material into the storm drain system or into a Water of the State, which includes groundwater, is a violation of the UDOT MS4 permit. The most thorough explanation is in each SWPPP, Attachment B: Operations and Maintenance Program (SOPs) Spill Prevention and Control SOP. 

The Monthly Visual Inspection is a requirement of UDOT's MS4 permit to 1) document good housekeeping and 2) identify and prevent pollutants from entering groundwater and/or surface water. Make sure to walk the entirety of the site in order to inspect all areas of the facility.

(UDOT SWMP Section 8.2.1 - Page 61) 

While performing this inspection, look for evidence of leaks and spills. If there are any leaks or spills found, immediately clean them up to prevent contact with stormwater (rain or snowmelt), and record how you did so in this form by selecting "yes" to the first question regarding spills and leaks and responding to the subsequent prompts that appear. Spills and leaks can refer to many things that occur at a maintenance station. Substances that could spill or leak include, but are not limited to: fuels, lubricants (hydraulic, engine, ATF, etc.), chemicals (antifreeze, cleaning products, anti-seize, pb blaster, etc.), paints, herbicide, brine, salt, grit, etc. These substances can not only run off the site with stormwater, but can also seep into the groundwater. This is also considered an illicit discharge, and could result in a more expensive and labor-intensive cleanup.

Other Deficiencies at a maintenance station can include many things that may pollute or has the potential to pollute, such as: trash, sediment, sewage, ruptured cement bags, storage containers (barrels, buckets, etc.) that collect rainwater and may overflow, oil buckets sitting outside oil containment areas, retention ponds about to overflow or overflowing, ground that is saturated with oil, etc.

Note that regulatory agencies such as Utah DWQ, EPA, and Local Health Departments have a broad all-encompassing view of what constitutes a pollutant or potential source of pollution. The best course of action to keep your facility in compliance is to keep a clean and tidy facility–both indoors and outside.

Maintenance forces must complete a monthly visual inspection of their facility to ensure that the potential for pollutant discharge is minimized. Any spills or illicit discharges that are identified are to be reported and measures must be taken to immediately clean up the areas to prevent contact with precipitation or runoff. In addition, correction actions must be logged when any deficiency is identified as part of the monthly inspection. All Monthly Visual Inspections are logged using the Survey123 app and are kept electronically.

Monthly Visual Inspection Form 

All Monthly Visual Inspections are tracked and logged into a dashboard (SWPPP Facility Inspection Status Dashboard) that is used by Region leadership and the Stormwater Management Team to ensure the requirements of the MS4 permit are being followed. The SWPPP dashboard includes all semiannual, annual, and monthly inspections that have been completed

SWPPP Facility Inspection Status Dashboard 

Semi-Annual Comprehensive Inspections (UDOT SWMP 8.2.2)

The Semi-Annual Comprehensive Stormwater Inspection is a requirement of UDOT's MS4 Permit and must be performed, with inspection results submitted, at least twice per year by a member of the facility's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team (Station Supervisor and Area Supervisor) as indicated in the facilities SWPPP.

The purpose of the Semi-Annual Comprehensive Stormwater Inspection is to prevent and/or reduce pollutant runoff from UDOT owned or operated facilities. This is partly accomplished by performing a comprehensive in-depth inspection of the facility's building(s) and grounds, with specific attention paid to stormwater controls, waste storage areas, dumpsters, vehicle and equipment maintenance areas, and all other pollutant generating or possible pollutant generating areas.  

Any spills, leaks, or other deficiencies found during the Semi-Annual Comprehensive Stormwater Inspection should be immediately remedied, and the corrective action taken must be recorded.  

Semi-Annual Comprehensive Inspection Form

Annual Visual Observation of Stormwater Discharge Inspection (UDOT SWMP 8.2.3)

The Annual Visual Observation of Stormwater Discharge Inspection is a quick method to help Maintenance personnel assess the effectiveness of your facility's BMPs to reduce pollution in stormwater runoff. This inspection is a requirement of UDOT's MS4 Permit and is to be sampled with results submitted at least once per year by a member of your facility's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team (Station Supervisor and Area Supervisor) as indicated in your SWPPP.

This inspection is to be performed within the first 30 minutes (or soon thereafter as practical, but not to exceed one hour) of when runoff from rain or snowmelt begins flowing. Locations for sampling should be chosen in such a manner that the samples are representative of the overall stormwater discharge of the site.

All sampling should occur when the flow from rain or snowmelt exceeds 0.1" (i.e. sheet flow across your pavement), and the event is at least 72 hours from a previously 0.1" or greater storm event or snowmelt episode.

To effectively sample stormwater sheet flow, a clean and clear glass or plastic receptacle should be used, such as a mason jar, glass container or wide-mouth plastic bottle. Areas of the facility that may be good sites for sampling include, but are not limited to: outfalls, storm drain inlets or drop inlets (place container below the lip of the inlet), depressions that collect flow, or by damming water on flat pavement to collect a sample. An effective means of sampling from inlet boxes is to remove the grate and catch the stormwater as it flows over the lip of the inlet box. If damming water, using a clean plastic sandwich type bag to scoop water is helpful.

Note: The Annual Visual Observation of Stormwater Discharge Inspection must be performed and documented once per year. 

Annual Stormwater Discharge Inspection Form

These inspections are tracked and logged and can be accessed through the following link: SWPPP Data and Electronic Inspection Forms.

Station supervisors are responsible for addressing deficiencies noted on any inspections and documenting the correction actions.