SWPPP Design, Inspection, and Compliance Services in New York State
Costich Engineering, Land Surveying and Landscape Architecture, D.P.C. provides Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) services that support project compliance from initial design through construction closeout. Our civil engineering staff assists clients with SWPPP preparation in accordance with the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit documentation, erosion and sediment control planning, construction-phase inspections, reporting, and coordination with contractors, owners, municipalities, and review agencies.
Costich has completed well over 1,000 SWPPP-related inspections, reports, and compliance assignments across New York State. Our experience spans commercial, municipal, recreational, industrial, residential, telecommunications, and public infrastructure projects. As a New York State, City of Rochester, and Monroe County certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Costich also helps project teams meet MWBE participation goals on publicly funded work.
Our SWPPP Services
SWPPP review and permit documentation. Costich reviews project plans, site disturbance limits, drainage patterns, stormwater management requirements, and applicable NYSDEC SPDES General Permit criteria to prepare or support SWPPP documentation. This work may include preparation of SWPPP reports, SPDES permit materials, erosion and sediment control plans, inspection reports, and stormwater-related plan coordination. Because our staff also performs hydraulic calculations, water quality and quantity design, and site grading design, stormwater compliance is integrated into the project rather than treated as a standalone paperwork exercise.
Construction-Phase SWPPP Inspections. During construction, Costich provides SWPPP inspections to review site conditions, erosion and sediment control measures, construction sequencing, disturbed areas, stabilization practices, and compliance with approved plans and permit requirements. The SPDES General Permit requires qualified inspections at regular intervals while soil disturbance is active, and inspection records must be maintained on site. Our inspection services help owners and contractors keep that documentation current and address field conditions as construction progresses.
Erosion and Sediment Control Monitoring. Costich observes and documents the installation, maintenance, and performance of erosion and sediment control practices identified in the approved SWPPP. These measures commonly include stabilized construction entrances, silt fence, inlet protection, stockpile stabilization, temporary seeding, and permanent stabilization. When deficiencies are identified, our team coordinates with contractors to recommend corrective actions and documents the resolution, keeping the project’s compliance record complete and defensible.
Reporting, Coordination, and Notice of Termination. Costich prepares inspection reports, maintains SWPPP documentation, tracks corrective actions, and coordinates with project teams, contractors, owners, and review agencies throughout construction. At project closeout, we assist with final stabilization review, permit closeout documentation, and the Notice of Termination (NOT) process that formally ends SPDES permit coverage. Closing out a permit correctly protects owners from ongoing liability and lingering compliance obligations after construction is complete.
Why Work with Costich on Stormwater Compliance. Costich does not perform construction. We serve as the designer, oversight provider, and compliance monitor, which means our documentation reflects an independent professional review of site conditions. Our integrated approach, combining design experience with field inspection, helps project teams maintain compliance, document site conditions accurately, and respond efficiently as conditions change during construction. Contact our team to discuss SWPPP support for your next project.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan is a site-specific document that identifies how a construction project will prevent sediment and pollutants from leaving the site and entering nearby waterways. In New York State, most construction activities that disturb one acre or more of land require coverage under the NYSDEC SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity, and a SWPPP is a core requirement of that coverage. The plan describes erosion and sediment control practices, stormwater management measures, inspection procedures, and the responsibilities of the parties involved.
A SWPPP is generally required for construction activities that disturb one acre or more of soil, which triggers coverage under the NYSDEC SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity. Smaller sites may also require a SWPPP if they are part of a larger common plan of development or if a local municipality imposes its own stormwater requirements.
Under the current SPDES General Permit, qualified inspections are typically required at least once every seven calendar days while soil disturbance is ongoing. For sites with five or more acres of disturbance, inspections are required twice within each seven-day period, with at least 48 hours between inspections. Twice-weekly inspections may also apply to smaller sites when an impaired waterbody is present, at the discretion of the local municipality. The approved SWPPP for each project defines the specific inspection schedule and documentation requirements.
SWPPP inspections must be performed by a qualified inspector as defined by the NYSDEC SPDES General Permit, which generally means someone trained in erosion and sediment control principles working under the direction of appropriate professional oversight. Costich provides qualified inspection staff supported by licensed professional engineers.
Once final stabilization is achieved, the owner or operator files a Notice of Termination with NYSDEC to end SPDES permit coverage. Costich assists with the final stabilization review and closeout documentation needed to support that filing.
Yes. Costich provides SWPPP design, inspection, and compliance services for projects throughout New York State.
