Industrial Activity (MSGP) & (NEX)

Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activity

Stormwater runoff can pollute waterbodies by coming in contact with exposed materials and industrial activities.

Florida's NPDES Stormwater Program regulates all industrial activities that:

• Have stormwater discharges to surface waters of the state or into a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
• Are included in any one of 11 categories of "stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity" The 11 categories are defined using both narrative descriptions of the activities and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. The regulated industrial activities are further divided into 29 sectors with common activities, pollutant sources and associated pollutants.

(Note: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) will eventually replace the SIC system; see the conversion table.)

Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP) Requirements

In 2000, Florida adopted under Rule 62-621.300(5)(a), F.A.C., the federal NPDES Storm Water Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities (comprising the original issuance and subsequent corrections/modifications) and operates the permit as the Florida Multi-Sector Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity (MSGP). the Florida MSGP regulates the 11 categories of "stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity" identified in 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14) and adopted by reference within Rule 62-620, F.A.C.

• A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed, implemented and kept onsite.
• Visual, analytical and compliance monitoring may be required by the permit. Results are submitted via the department’s online EzDMR System.
  • Visual monitoring is required for all facilities (except Sector S - Air Transportation Facilities). Visual examinations must be performed at least once per quarter for the life of the permit and results shall be recorded in the SWPPP.
  • Analytical (benchmark) monitoring is required for industry sectors or sub-sectors determined to have a high potential to discharge a pollutant(s) at concentrations of concern. The permit specifies benchmark values for industry-specific pollutants. Benchmark values are established to gauge the effectiveness of the SWPPP and determine whether there is a need to continue monitoring.
  • Compliance monitoring is required for five specific industrial activities whose stormwater discharges are subject to numeric effluent limitations, in addition to analytical and visual monitoring.
• Permits are not transferable. 

Obtaining Permit Coverage

1. Review the Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP) and sector-specific permit language.
2. Develop and implement a SWPPP. (SWPPP guidance)
3. Submit a MSGP Notice of Intent (NOI) (DEP Form 62-621.300(5)(b)) with application fee of $500 (required by Rule 62-4.050(4)(d), F.A.C.) online through the DEP Business Portal or submit by paper to the Notice Center. Acknowledgment letters will be issued by email upon receipt and processing of the NOI and fee. 
4. Renew permit coverage every five years at least two days before expiration of the current coverage or until the facility becomes ineligible for coverage.
5. To discontinue permit coverage, submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) (DEP Form 62-621.300(6)) through DEP Business Portal or by paper to the Notice Center. Permit coverage may be terminated when the eligibility requirements for termination specified in the MSGP are met.

The Conditional No Exposure Exclusion (NEX)

Facilities with industrial activities activities may qualify for an exemption from certain NPDES Stormwater permitting requirements if all industrial materials or processes are protected by a storm-resistant structure.

Individual Permit

Stormwater discharges from industrial activities that are not eligible for a generic permit must be covered under an individual permit with requirements specific to the facility as specified under Rule 62-620, F.A.C. Applications for individual NPDES stormwater permits for industrial activities, excluding steam electric power plants, should be sent to the Industrial Wastewater Section of the appropriate DEP regulatory district office.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Provides answers to the industrial questions most commonly posed regarding the NPDES Stormwater Program's MSGP.