v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Washington, D.C.
EPA 832-F-99-021
September 1999
Storm Water
Management Fact Sheet
Materials Inventory
DESCRIPTION
A materials inventory system involves the
identification of all sources and quantities of
"significant" materials that may be exposed to direct
precipitation or storm water runoff at a particular
site. "Significant" materials are substances related
to industrial activities such as process chemicals,
raw materials, fuels, pesticides, and fertilizers.
When these substances are exposed to direct
precipitation or storm water runoff, they may be
carried to a receiving water body. Therefore,
identification of these materials helps to determine
sources of potential contamination and is the first
step in pollution control.
APPLICABILITY
A materials inventory system is appropriate at most
industrial facilities. Inventory of exposed materials
should be part of a baseline administrative program
and is directly related to both record keeping and
visual inspection Best Management Practices.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Since the program is intended to prevent pollution
before it occurs, it is not possible to quantify water
quality benefits to receiving waters of a materials
inventory program. However, it is anticipated that
an effective materials inventory program will
improve the quality of storm water discharges.
Limitations of a materials inventory system include:
It is an on-going process that continually
needs updating.
• Qualified personnel are required to perform
the materials inventory from a storm water
perspective.
KEY PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Most facilities already have in place a materials
inventory system, but this system is not generally
followed from a storm water contamination
viewpoint. Adding storm water considerations into
an existing inventory should require only minimal
effort. When discussing a material inventory it is
very important to be aware of Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS). Currently the United States
Government has created a Hazard Communication
standard, which requires all firms manufacturing
and/or distributing chemicals within the United
States to prepare MSDSs for those chemicals and
distribute them to their customers.
Keeping an up-to-date inventory of all materials
(hazardous and non-hazardous) on the site will help
to track how materials are stored and handled on
site, and identify which materials and activities pose
the greatest risk to the environment. The following
instructions explain the basic steps in completing a
materials inventory:
• Identify all chemical substances present in
the work place. Walk through the facility
and review the purchase orders for the
previous year. List all chemical substances
used in the work place and then obtain the
material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each.
Label all containers to show the name and
type of substance, stock number, expiration
date, health hazards, suggestions for
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handling, and first aid information. This
information is found on the MSDS.
Unlabeled chemicals and chemicals with
deteriorated labels are often disposed of
improperly or unnecessarily.
• Clearly mark on the inventory those
hazardous materials that require specific
handling, storage, use, and disposal
considerations.
An example Materials Inventory Worksheet is
provided in Figure 1. Based on your materials
inventory, describe the significant materials that
were exposed to storm water during the past three
years or are currently exposed.
Other BMPs should then be evaluated and
implemented to prevent exposure of these materials
to storm water or them before discharge. Figure 2
illustrates a sample worksheet for evaluating
exposed materials.
IMPLEMENTATION
The key to a proper materials inventory system is
continual updating of records. Maintaining an
up-to-date materials inventory is an efficient way to
identify what materials are handled on-site and
whether they contribute to storm water
contamination problems.
COSTS
Typically, the major cost of implementing a
materials inventory system is the time required to
adapt an existing program to emphasize storm water
quality. The incremental cost is usually small.
Costs of the program are often offset by cost
savings in other areas. Improved material tracking
and inventory practices, such as instituting a shelf
life program, can reduce the waste resulting from
the overstocking and disposal of outdated materials.
Careful tracking of all materials ordered may also
result in more efficient materials use.
MATERIAL INVENTORY
Worksheet Completed
Title:
by:
Date:
Instructions: List all materials used, stored, or produced on site. Assess and evaluate these materials for their
potential to contribute pollutants to storm water runoff. Also complete Worksheet 3A if the
material has been exposed during the last three years.
Material
Purpose /
Location
Quantity (units)
Used
Produced
Stored
Quantity
exposed
during
lasts
years
Likelihood
of contact
with storm
water. If
yes,
describe
reason
Past Significant Spill or
Leak
Yes
No
Source: U. S. EPA, 1992.
FIGURE 1 SAMPLE MATERIAL INVENTORY
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DESCRIPTION OF EXPOSED SIGNIFICANT MATERIAL
Worksheet Compk
Title:
;ted by:
Date:
Instructions: Based on your material inventory, describe the significant materials that were exposed to storm
water during the past three years or are currently exposed. For the definition of "significant
materials" see Appendix B of the manual.
Description of
Exposed
Significant
Material
Period of
Exposure
Quantity
Exposed (units)
Location (as
indicated on
the site map)
Method of
Storage or
Disposal (e.g.,
pile, drum, tank)
Description of
Material
Management
Practice (e.g.,
pile covered,
drum sealed)
Source: U. S. EPA, 1992.
FIGURE 2 EXPOSED MATERIAL WORKSHEET
REFERENCES
1. U.S. EPA, 1992. NPDES Best
Management Practices Guidance
Document.
2. U.S. EPA, 1992. StormwaterManagement
for Industrial Activities: Developing
Pollution Prevention Plans and Best
Management Practices. EPA 832-R-92-
006.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Center for Watershed Protection
Tom Schueler
8391 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD21043
Northern Virginia Planning District Commission
David Bulova
7535 Little River Turnpike, Suite 100
Annandale, VA 22003
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Don Mooney
Water Quality Division, Storm Water Unit
P.O. Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677
Southeastern Wis. Regional Planning Commission
Bob Biebel
916 N. East Avenue, P.O. Box 1607
Waukesha, WI53187
United States Postal Service
Charles Vidich
6 Griffin Road North
Windsor, CT 06006-7030
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The mention of trade names or commercial products
does not constitute endorsement or recommendation
for the use by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
For more information contact:
Municipal Technology Branch
U.S. EPA
Mail Code 4204
401 M St., S.W.
Washington, D.C., 20460
1MTB
Excellence In complfence through optftnal technical solutions
MUNICIPAL TECHNOLOGY BRANCH
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