SWPPP inspection schedules: 7-day, 14-day plus storm, and arid

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Construction stormwater general permits do not impose one inspection frequency. They offer elections, and the operator picks one in the permit paperwork. Which one you elected decides every due date on your site, so it is worth knowing exactly which line you are on.

The table below is generated from the same rule matrix RainClock's clock engine runs, so it describes what the product actually enforces rather than a summary of it.

ElectionRoutine intervalStorm triggerRule
EPA CGP: every 7 days (all weather)every 7 calendar daysnone (all weather)EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.2.1 (every 7 calendar days)
EPA CGP: every 14 days + within 24h of a 0.25″ stormevery 14 calendar days0.25″ · 24h from occurrenceEPA 2022 CGP Part 4.2.1 (every 14 calendar days)
TXR150000: every 7 days (all weather)every 7 calendar daysnone (all weather)TXR150000 Part III.F.8(c)(v) (every 7 calendar days)
TXR150000: every 14 days + within 24h of the end of a 0.5″ stormevery 14 calendar days0.5″ · 24h from storm endTXR150000 Part III.F.8(c)(i) (every 14 calendar days)
Arid/semi-arid: monthly + post-stormevery 1 month0.25″ · 24h from storm endGoverning CGP arid/semi-arid provision (monthly inspections)

Why the 24-hour window differs

The EPA CGP requires the post-storm inspection within 24 hours of the occurrence of a qualifying storm. TXR150000 measures the same 24 hours from the end of the storm event. On a long storm those are different deadlines, which is why RainClock records the event window rather than just a date.

Sources, both primary: EPA 2022 Construction General Permit (PDF) Part 4.2; TCEQ TXR150000 (2023) (PDF) Part III.F.8(c).

What RainClock does with this

You tell us your election when you add a site. We watch NOAA MRMS rainfall at the site coordinates, start the clocks your election implies, and name the rule on every one of them. We do not decide your election for you and we do not perform your inspections. The free rain log shows the calendar for any address.

Questions

How often do I have to inspect my construction site?
It depends on the schedule you elected in your permit paperwork. Under the EPA 2022 CGP the common elections are every 7 calendar days, or every 14 calendar days plus within 24 hours of a storm of 0.25 inches or more. Texas TXR150000 offers the same shape with a 0.5 inch storm trigger. Arid and semi-arid areas have a monthly variant.
When is a post-storm inspection due?
Within 24 hours. The EPA CGP measures that window from the occurrence of a qualifying storm; Texas TXR150000 measures it from the end of the storm event. RainClock detects the event from NOAA MRMS data and starts the clock on the measure your election uses.

See it for your own site

The free rain log takes an address and gives you the cited storm history and the inspection-clock calendar. No account needed.

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RainClock is a product of Harper AI, Inc., a private company not affiliated with the EPA, TCEQ, or any government agency. This page is general information about public permit requirements, not legal advice. Your permit and your election govern.