It's Raining... When Do I Need to Inspect My Site?
How the 0.5-inch rainfall threshold works for single-day and multi-day storms under the 14-day + rain event inspection schedule.
Permit Language for 0.5” Rain Event Inspections
The renewed TCEQ Permit revised the timing for 1/2” rain event inspections. Here is the exact language from the Permit:
“Inspections of construction sites must be conducted at least once every fourteen (14) calendar days and within 24 hours of the end of a storm event of 0.5 inches or greater, unless as otherwise provided below in Part III.F.8.(c)ii. – v. below.”
- (A) Single 24-Hour Period ≥ 0.5”: If a storm event produces 0.5 inches or more of rain within a 24-hour period (including when there are multiple, smaller storms that alone produce less than 0.5 inches but together produce 0.5 inches or more in 24 hours), you are required to conduct one inspection within 24 hours of when 0.5 inches of rain or more has fallen. When the 24-hour inspection time frame occurs entirely outside of normal working hours, you must conduct an inspection by no later than the end of the next business day.
- (B) Multi-Day Storm Events: If a storm event produces 0.5 inches or more of rain within a 24-hour period on the first day of a storm and continues to produce 0.5 inches or more of rain on subsequent days, you must conduct an inspection within 24 hours of the first day of the storm and within 24 hours after the last day of the storm that produces 0.5 inches or more of rain (i.e., only two (2) inspections would be required for such a storm event). When the 24-hour inspection time frame occurs entirely outside of normal working hours, you must conduct an inspection by no later than the end of the next business day.
ProTex Environmental's Practical Recommendation
For storm events that last more than 24 hours, we recommend performing an inspection within 24 hours of the first 1/2” of rainfall and performing another inspection by the end of the first business day after the end of the rain event.
Note: ProTex Environmental does not perform rain event inspections and recommends the 7-day inspection schedule where permitted, or delegating rain event inspections to an on-site representative.