Half of the industrial sectors under the ISW permit are required to conduct a snowmelt runoff inspection each year.  Even in Minnesota, January/February thaws do occur so please keep this requirement in mind over the coming months. Check the sector-specific requirements in your permit to see if this snowmelt inspection applies to your site, as not conducting this inspection is an ISW permit violation. 

Pro Tip: While you’re conducting this inspection, pay attention to areas at your facility where you have placed sand or sand/salt mix to help with winter traction.  This sand will increase the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in your stormwater monitoring runoff, potentially resulting in high spikes that require additional BMPs or modifications to reduce the values.  By identifying where these sites are at your facility on your winter ISW inspections, you can be proactive in reducing the TSS load in the snowmelt runoff.

ISW Training Opportunities

The ISW permit requires facility employees responsible for implementing the ISW permit receive stormwater-related training at least once a year. The MPCA partners with the University of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Program to offer two ISW training courses that meet the permit training requirements. While the following courses are not required by the ISW permit, they do a thorough job of highlighting the requirements of the ISW general permit.

Both courses are currently offered online for self-study, and will be offered in person later this spring. ISW2202 is a comprehensive course if you are new to the ISW world, and ISW2201 is a shorter overview course designed to meet the annual training requirement for those with previous experience implementing the ISW general permit.

ISW2202  If you are new to the Industrial Stormwater permit or want a detailed refresher of the 2025-2030 industrial stormwater requirements, the University’s Erosion and Stormwater Management Program is offering ISW 2202.  This comprehensive course takes approximately 8 hours to complete; course topics include Industrial Stormwater and No Exposure regulations, SWPPP development and implementation, stormwater sampling and reporting, ISW case studies/enforcement, and more! Learn more here, registration opens on February 2, 2026. 

ISW1202  For those familiar with the 2025-2030 Industrial Stormwater Permit and need to meet the permit's annual training requirement, the University’s Erosion and Stormwater Management Program is offering ISW1202.  This course takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Course topics include a review of permit basics, what’s new in the permit/timely reminders, and a discussion on the new PFAS monitoring and reporting requirements.   Learn more here, registration opens on February 2, 2026.

For questions, contact the Erosion and Stormwater Management Program at [email protected] or call 612-625-9733.

Pro Tip:  In-person training courses were offered in the fall of 2025, and are in the planning phase for 2026.  While on-line training can be quite convenient, the in-person training is a great opportunity to work one-on-one with the University’s Stormwater Management Staff and MPCA’s ISW Compliance and Enforcement Staff.

2025 was a busy year for the ISW Compliance and Enforcement staff, issuing over 40 enforcement actions for ISW permit violations. 

The Top Five 2025 ISW permit violations were:

5.  Failure to update facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) when there are personnel changes for staff responsible for SWPPP implementation. 

4.  Failure to conduct the yearly Impaired Waters search as specified on the Annual Report.

3.  Failure to conduct and/or document yearly ISW training.

2.  Failure to document BMP maintenance follow-up when deficiencies are noted on monthly inspection reports

1. Failure to document in the SWPPP the steps taken when the average of benchmark monitoring results is higher than the permit benchmark values.

Pro Tip:  If you use customized business software programs to track your ISW training records and BMP maintenance, check that it can provide you with permit-compliant documentation when ISW Compliance  and Enforcement staff request it, and document in the SWPPP that you are utilizing these programs.