The six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) — what they mean for you
- Public education — signage on grates and near dumpsters.
- Public involvement — a reporting path for tenants and residents.
- Illicit discharge detection — nothing but rain in the drain; dumpster pads dry-swept, not hosed.
- Construction runoff control — inlet protection during any on-site work.
- Post-construction stormwater management — your existing BMPs (ponds, filters, separators) kept functional.
- Good housekeeping / pollution prevention — this is where most enforcement lives.
The record set your city will ask for
- Annual catch basin cleaning log (structure ID, date, debris volume, disposal manifest).
- BMP inspection log (oil-water separators, hoods, filter inserts).
- Any illicit-discharge response — photos, cleanup, notification to the city.
- Contractor certificates of insurance and disposal license copies.
Cadence that actually keeps you clean
Annual full catch basin cleaning, quarterly quick-look on high-traffic pads, post-storm sweep after any named event, and a full BMP inspection at least twice a year. Restaurants and industrial sites should assume monthly to quarterly BMP service.
Where cities look first
Dumpster pads with wash-down staining, sediment tracked into inlets from adjacent construction, and grates full of leaves are the three items that trigger site visits. See our NPDES MS4 compliance guide for the full South Florida playbook.
