Georgia SWPPP inspection requirements

The short version
Rain trigger
0.5″ storm event
Post-rain deadline
Within 24 hours of the end of the storm; storms ending after 5 PM Friday or on non-working weekends/holidays roll to the next business day
Routine inspections
Every 7 days
Permit
GAR100001 / GAR100002 / GAR100003 General NPDES Permits
Agency
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD)

How Georgia handles construction stormwater

Construction sites in Georgia disturbing one acre or more need coverage under the GAR100001 / GAR100002 / GAR100003 General NPDES Permits, administered by Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The 2023 permits (in force since August 2024 after litigation; expiring July 31, 2028) require inspections every 7 days and within 24 hours of the end of a 0.5″ storm. Daily rain gauge readings are required except on non-working weekends/holidays; common developments under GAR100003 inspect twice every 7 days; turbidity sampling is also tied to 0.5″ events.

Inspector qualifications

Personnel must complete GSWCC-certified erosion and sediment control training (Level 1A — the "Blue Card" — for inspectors).

Official sources

Common questions

What triggers a SWPPP inspection in Georgia?

Under the GAR100001 / GAR100002 / GAR100003 General NPDES Permits, a storm event of 0.5 inches or more triggers a post-storm inspection, within 24 hours of the end of the storm; storms ending after 5 PM Friday or on non-working weekends/holidays roll to the next business day. Routine inspections: every 7 days.

Who can perform SWPPP inspections in Georgia?

Personnel must complete GSWCC-certified erosion and sediment control training (Level 1A — the "Blue Card" — for inspectors).

Who administers the construction stormwater program in Georgia?

Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) administers the NPDES construction stormwater program in Georgia under the GAR100001 / GAR100002 / GAR100003 General NPDES Permits.

What are the penalties for SWPPP violations in Georgia?

Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and GA EPD 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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