Why California Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries Need to Know About California's New Industrial Storm Water Permit

On April 1, 2014, the California State Water Resources Control Board (“State Board”) unanimously adopted a new Industrial Storm Water permit (2014 Permit). You can find the new Industrial Storm Water permit and supporting documents here, along with a change sheet also adopted by the State Board.

Why do California wineries, breweries, and distilleries need to know about the new 2014 Permit? Under the prior permit, wineries, breweries, and distilleries were conditionally exempt from complying with the permit if they could self-certify that their facility did not expose storm water to industrial activities. That means that many wineries, breweries, and distilleries did not have to file anything with the State Board.

The new 2014 Permit requires all wineries, breweries, and distilleries to register with the State Board, and to either comply with the permit, or submit proof that they do not expose storm water to industrial activities. Failure to comply can expose the facility to regulatory enforcement and federal suit under the Clean Water Act.

That is one reason why California wineries, breweries, and distilleries need to know about the 2014 Permit. To continue reading why this new development is important to your alcohol beverage company, please read the entire blog post here.

For more information about ensuring your compliance with the new Industrial Storm Water permit, please contact your Stoel Rives attorney or a key contributor.