Alabama SWPPP inspection requirements
- Rain trigger
- 0.75″ storm event
- Post-rain deadline
- Commence within 24 hours of resuming work; complete within 72 hours of the storm (5 days for linear projects)
- Routine inspections
- Monthly comprehensive inspections plus daily observations by site personnel
- Permit
- ALR100000 Construction General Permit (2026)
- Agency
- Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
How Alabama handles construction stormwater
Construction sites in Alabama disturbing one acre or more need coverage under the ALR100000 Construction General Permit (2026), administered by Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The 2026 CGP took effect April 1, 2026. A qualifying precipitation event is 0.75″ or more in any 24-hour period; rainfall outside normal operating hours may be read the next business day. QCP evaluations of the CBMPP are due every 6 months (every 3 months for priority sites).
Inspector qualifications
Inspections must be performed by or under the supervision of ADEM-credentialed personnel — a Qualified Credentialed Professional (QCP) or, where no QCP is readily available, a Qualified Credentialed Inspector (QCI).
Official sources
Common questions
What triggers a SWPPP inspection in Alabama?
Under the ALR100000 Construction General Permit (2026), a storm event of 0.75 inches or more triggers a post-storm inspection, commence within 24 hours of resuming work; complete within 72 hours of the storm (5 days for linear projects). Routine inspections: monthly comprehensive inspections plus daily observations by site personnel.
Who can perform SWPPP inspections in Alabama?
Inspections must be performed by or under the supervision of ADEM-credentialed personnel — a Qualified Credentialed Professional (QCP) or, where no QCP is readily available, a Qualified Credentialed Inspector (QCI).
Who administers the construction stormwater program in Alabama?
Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) administers the NPDES construction stormwater program in Alabama under the ALR100000 Construction General Permit (2026).
What are the penalties for SWPPP violations in Alabama?
Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and ADEM can issue administrative orders and state penalties on top. Missing rain-triggered inspections is among the most commonly cited violations in stormwater audits.
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