A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required for most construction projects that disturb one or more acres of land under the TCEQ Construction General Permit (TXR150000). Stormwater Professionals Group prepares site-specific SWPPPs for construction sites across Houston, Harris County, and Central Texas, and we keep them current through construction so your project stays covered from the first cut to final stabilization.
When you need a SWPPP
If your project disturbs one acre or more, or is part of a larger common plan of development that does, you need permit coverage and a SWPPP on site before earthwork begins. A smaller site can still be pulled in when it is part of a larger development. We help you file the Notice of Intent (NOI), post the required documentation, and keep the plan current as the site changes.
What our SWPPP includes
- Site and drainage description with a SWPPP site map.
- Best Management Practice (BMP) selection for erosion, sediment, and good-housekeeping controls.
- Inspection schedule, recordkeeping forms, and corrective-action procedures.
- NOI and NOT filing support and permit close-out at final stabilization.
Inspection and recordkeeping requirements
The permit requires routine inspections on a set schedule and additional inspections after qualifying rain events, carried out by a qualified person on your team or an inspector you designate. Every SWPPP we prepare includes the inspection schedule, the report forms, and the corrective-action procedures that inspector needs, so the records are in order if the TCEQ or a local reviewer asks for them.
Once the site is stabilized and the permit closes out, we maintain the detention ponds and stormwater facilities that stay behind. See our detention pond maintenance services.
SWPPP and SWQMP: two different plans
A SWPPP controls erosion and sediment during construction under the state construction permit. A Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) addresses water quality after the project is built, under City of Houston and Harris County rules. Many Houston-area projects need both, and we prepare and manage each one.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a SWPPP in Houston and Harris County?
Any construction project that disturbs one or more acres of land, or that is part of a larger common plan of development totaling one acre or more, needs coverage under the TCEQ Construction General Permit (TXR150000) and a SWPPP kept on site before earthwork begins.
What is the difference between a SWPPP and a SWQMP?
A SWPPP is a construction-phase plan that controls erosion and sediment while a site is being built. A SWQMP is a post-construction plan that keeps pollutants out of stormwater once the project is finished and in use. They are separate requirements, and larger Houston-area projects often need both.
How much does a SWPPP cost?
It depends on the size and complexity of the site and how many controls it needs, so we price each SWPPP to the project rather than a flat rate. Send us your acreage and site details and we will put together a quote.
How often are SWPPP inspections required?
The construction permit requires routine inspections on a set schedule plus additional inspections after qualifying rain events, with the findings documented and any needed repairs made promptly. The SWPPP we prepare sets that schedule and supplies the report forms, so whoever you designate as your inspector knows what is due and when.
What happens if a construction site does not have a SWPPP?
Operating a regulated construction site without permit coverage and a SWPPP can lead to TCEQ enforcement, fines, and stop-work exposure. Having the plan in place and inspections documented is the simplest way to avoid that.
Need a SWPPP for an upcoming project? Contact SPG or call (832) 554-6654.