Stormwater in Industry

As of November 19, 2001, all industrial facilities (as classified based on the appropriate SIC or NAICS Code) are required to apply for and comply with the TPDES Multi-Sector General Permit. Many facilities may not even be aware that they have a SIC Code and are therefore operating in a state of non-compliance. The information on this page is meant to provide these facilities with the necessary information to determine if they do need to apply for the Multi-Sector General Permit. The following links s provide information to assist in making a determination as to whether or not a permit is necessary for a facility. Should a facility need additional information, they can contact the City of Beaumont Public Works Department at 409-880-3725 for additional information.

The new 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial facilities has been issued with an effective date of August 14, 2021. The renewal period for existing permittees ended on November 12, 2021. If you missed the renewal deadline, you must submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) or No Exposure Certification (NEC), as applicable, using TCEQ’s online e-permitting system STEERS/ePermits and be issued a new authorization number.

The City of Beaumont is required by its NPDES Stormwater Permit to implement a program to assure that industrial facilities within the City do not discharge pollutants to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

The City uses a combination of water quality monitoring and prioritized industrial inspections to identify facilities for on-site inspections. Upon inspection of the facilities in question, the City will request from each facility a copy of its Notice of Intent (NOI) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), including training records, monitoring results (or waivers as appropriate) and copies of the annual comprehensive facility evaluations. Failure to provide these documents will constitute non-compliance with not only the TPDES Multi-Sector General Permit but also the City of Beaumont's Watershed Protection Ordinance.

The City of Beaumont maintains a list of all industrial facilities within the MS4. Any facility not currently permitted under the TPDES Multi-Sector General Permit should refer to the following materials to determine if the facility requires a permit. If it does, the facility needs to expedite the process and notify the City of Beaumont that it has submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) or No Exposure Certification (NEC). Applicants for the Multi-Sector General Permit (TXR050000), who discharge to an MS4, must submit a signed copy of their Notice of Intent (NOI) or No Exposure Certification (NEC) to the operator of the system. Permittees must also provide a copy of any Notice of Change (NOC) or Notice of Termination (NOT) to the operator of the system. Again, if a facility is unsure as to whether or not it needs a permit or needs further assistance in determining eligibility, the facility can contact the City of Beaumont Public Works Department at 409-880-3725 for additional information.

• Multi-Sector General Permit (for Industrial Facilities) (PDF)
• Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Facilities: Am I Regulated?

Here is a list of all SIC Codes under the TPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (TXR050000)

The list includes the SIC Code along with a description for each code in the list. If a facility finds its industrial activity listed among the descriptions, then it probably is required to have a permit. However, before submitting the Notice of Intent (NOI), refer to the following section, "No Exposure Exclusion".

All categories of industrial facilities (except construction activities) may be excluded from industrial stormwater discharge permitting requirements on a conditional basis. If a facility can certify that a condition of no exposure exists, then it does not have a stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity and therefore does not need to obtain a stormwater permit.

No exposure means that all industrial materials or activities are protected by a storm-resistant shelter or are otherwise projected to prevent exposure to rain, snow, snowmelt, and/or runoff. Industrial materials or activities include but are not limited to, material handling equipment or activities, industrial machinery, raw materials, intermediate products, by-products, final products, or waste products. Material handling activities include the storage, loading and unloading, transportation, or conveyance of any raw material, intermediate product, final product, or waste product.

The storm-resistant shelter is not required for:

• Drums, barrels, tanks, and similar containers are tightly sealed, provided those containers do not deteriorate and do not leak.
• Adequately maintained vehicles used in material handling.
• Final products, other than products that would be mobilized in stormwater discharge (e.g., rock salt).