Inspections on Construction Sites

It is the responsibility of each entity that has to follow the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Construction General Permit to perform inspections on their site. The inspections should cover any issues with potential contaminated storm water discharges, sign postage and updates to the SWPPP. The reports must be kept within the SWPPP.

Frequency of Reports

The reports must be performed at a frequency listed in the TPDES Construction General Permit. Any changes to the frequency of inspections must be documented in the SWPPP and can only change at the beginning on the month. The three different frequencies are listed below:

  1. Once every 7 days
  2. Once every 14 days and after a rain event of 0.5 inches or greater
  3. Common Plan of Development

Common Plan of Development

A construction activity that is completed in separate stages, separate phases, or in combination with other construction activities. A common plan of development (also known as a “common plan of development or sale”) is identified by the documentation for the construction project that identifies the scope of the project, and may include:

  • Blueprints
  • Building permits
  • Contracts
  • Marketing plans
  • Plats
  • Public notice or hearing
  • Zoning requests
  • Other similar documentation and activities

Identifying Projects

A common plan of development does not necessarily include all construction projects within the jurisdiction of a public entity (e.g., a city or university). Construction of roads or buildings in different parts of the jurisdiction would be considered separate “common plans,” with only the interconnected parts of a project being considered part of a “common plan” (e.g., a building and its associated parking lot and driveways, airport runway and associated taxiways, a building complex, etc.).

Where discrete construction projects occur within a larger common plan of development or sale but are located 1/4 mile or more apart, and the area between the projects is not being disturbed, each individual project can be treated as a separate plan of development or sale, provided that any interconnecting road, pipeline or utility project that is part of the same “common plan” is not included in the area to be disturbed.