IND Inspector Guidance Sheet 2024.pdf IND Site Inspection Guidance
The purpose of a proactive site inspection program is to identify and eliminate adverse stormwater
quality impacts to local creeks and the San Francisco Bay from activities conducted at commercial and
industrial sites. The following are guidelines for inspectors to follow during the site inspections. Any
noncompliant condition discovered during the inspection should be referred to the Public Works
Environmental Division(Alex Wykoff) for follow up the same day it is discovered. The inspector should
include notes describing the condition(s), photograph(s), and a primary contact person at the site. If the
condition is minor and immediately correctable,the inspector has the discretion to have it resolved while
on site;however this must be noted as a violation on the inspection form.
General
• Inspect all storm drain inlets on the site. Check for damage to the surface grate, litter and debris
in the catch basin, unusual odors, liquid/dampness in basin during dry weather, evidence of
discharge from surface run-off,illicit pipe connection within the basin.
• Is the site generally free of litter and uncontained garbage?
• Are the drain inlets marked"No Dumping Flows to Creek" or similar?
• Do the inlets have full trash capture devices installed and is there evidence of them being
regularly maintained2?
• Inspect the street gutter(s) in front of the site. Check for pipe connections in the curb from the
site,sediment tracking from the site to the street, or other evidence of discharges originating from
the site to the street.
• Inspect the sanitary sewer and grease interceptor clean outs for any discharge or excessive odor
that would indicate recent or imminent overflow.
Outdoor processes and manufacturing areas
• Check exterior work areas for any residue or spills (solids/liquids)from activities such as sawing,
milling,stripping,fluid draining and/or exchanging.
• Check for excessively oily machinery that is uncovered and/or leaking fluids.
• Check for uncovered liquids in containers which could be spilled or overfilled with rainwater
and discharged.
Outdoor material storage areas
• Check for stored materials which are uncovered and could contribute to a discharge. Examples
are copper pipe, electrical/mechanical parts, pressure treated lumber, wood pallets, uncovered
piles of soil or similar materials.
Outdoor waste storage and disposal areas
• Inspect the trash enclosure and/or disposal storage areas. Check for stockpiled material that is
not contained in front loader bins (dumpsters), excessively dirty/greasy waste containers and
tallow bins,and loose trash.
• Check trash compactors for leaking hydraulic fluid or leachate from the interior of the compactor.
• Check to ensure waste bins are not leaking effluent.
• Any waste bins stored near an unprotected storm drain inlet must be relocated.
Revised:1/24
Outdoor vehicle,equipment,maintenance areas
• Inspect automotive fueling island and any exterior automotive or mechanical service areas for
excessive gasoline, oil,or other residues from repair or fueling.
• Check to ensure that a spill kit is readily available.
Outdoor wash areas
• Inspect exterior for evidence of uncontained floor mat washing,equipment hose downs,check for
use of mop sinks interior or exterior.
• Locate exterior hose bibs and inspect area for evidence of washing (wash water must be directed
to landscaped areas or into sanitary drain with approval from Cupertino Sanitary District) CUSD
(408-253-7071).
Outdoor drainage from indoor areas
• Inspect areas outside of walls and doors for evidence of floor washouts.
• For industrial and/or automotive type uses, check interior areas adjacent to the doors for
uncontained spills, containers with the potential for spillage that could flow or be tracked to the
exterior.
Rooftop equipment
• Inspect roof down spouts and end of pipe. Check for discharges during dry weather, odors,
discoloration on pavement at base of pipe which may indicate a roof discharge.
Other sources determined to have a potential to contribute to pollution of stormwater runoff
• Landscaped areas with broken or malfunctioning landscape irrigation. Landscape overwatering
that could flow to a storm drain.
• Sediment accumulation which may be contaminated with pollutants (fertilizer, dust from
processes, dried liquid pollutants, PCBs' and mercury containing products such as batteries,
fluorescent lamps,etc.). If the site is not completely paved,is their track out of sediment?
• Uncontained litter on the site,including cigarette butts in uncovered containers.
Miscellaneous
• Provide business owner with IND program brochure.
• Small businesses with hazardous waste or universal waste may be eligible for low cost disposal
through the Santa Clara County Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG)
program(408-299-7300).
Although no longer commercially produced in the United States,PCBs may be present in products and materials produced before
the 1979 PCB ban.Some examples of old PCB containing products include electrical equipment such as voltage regulators,switches,
reclosers,bushings,and electromagnets;oil used in motors and hydraulic systems;fluorescent light ballasts;thermal insulation
material including fiberglass,felt,foam,and cork;oil-based paint;caulking and floor finish.Visit
http://www3.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/about.htm for more details.
2 The maintenance of each full capture device shall be adequate to prevent plugging,including plugging of the 5mm screen
leading to trash overflow and bypass,flooding,or a full condition of the device's trash reservoir causing bypassing of trash. All full
trash capture devices shall be inspected and maintained at least twice per year or to the manufacturer's minimum specifications at
least three months or more apart. If any such device is found to have a plugged or blinded screen or is greater than 50 percent full
of trash during a maintenance event or City inspection,the maintenance frequency shall be increased so that the device is neither
plugged no more than half full of trash at the next maintenance event.
Revised:1/24