INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER
FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
U.S. EPA Office of Water
EPA-833-F-06-039
December 2006
What is the NPDES stormwater permitting program for industrial
activity?
Activities, such as material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, industrial
processing or other operations that occur at industrial facilities are often exposed to stormwater. The
runoff from these areas may discharge pollutants directly into nearby waterbodies or indirectly via
storm sewer systems, thereby degrading water quality.
In 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed permitting regulations under the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to control stormwater discharges associated
with eleven categories of industrial activity. As a result, NPDES permitting authorities, which may be
either EPA or a state environmental agency, issue stormwater permits to control runoff from these
industrial facilities.
What types of industrial facilities are required to obtain permit
coverage?
This fact sheet specifically discusses stormwater discharges from printing and publishing facilities
including allied industries facilities described in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Major Group 27.
Facilities and products in this group fall under the following categories, all of which require coverage
under an industrial stormwater permit:
4 Newspapers: publishing, or publishing and printing (SIC 2711)
4 Periodicals: publishing, or publishing and printing (SIC 2721)
4 Books: publishing, or publishing and printing (SIC 2731)
4- Book printing (SIC 2732)
4 Miscellaneous publishing (SIC 2741)
4 Commercial printing, lithographic (SIC 2752)
4 Commercial printing, gravure (SIC 2754)
4 Commercial printing, not elsewhere classified (SIC 2759)
4 Manifold business forms (SIC 2761)
4 Greeting cards (SIC 2771)
4 Blank books, looseleaf binders and devices (SIC 2782)
4- Bookbinding and related work (SIC 2789)
+• Typesetting (SIC 2791)
4 Platemaking and related services (SIC 2796)
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
What does an industrial storm water permit require?
Common requirements for coverage under an industrial stormwater permit include development of a
written stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), implementation of control measures, and sub-
mittal of a request for permit coverage, usually referred to as the Notice of Intent or NOI. The SWPPP
is a written assessment of potential sources of pollutants in stormwater runoff and control measures
that will be implemented at your facility to minimize the discharge of these pollutants in runoff from
the site. These control measures include site-specific best management practices (BMPs), maintenance
plans, inspections, employee training, and reporting. The procedures detailed in the SWPPP must be
implemented by the facility and updated as necessary, with a copy of the SWPPP kept on-site. The in-
dustrial stormwater permit also requires collection of visual, analytical, and/or compliance monitoring
data to determine the effectiveness of implemented BMPs. For more information on EPA's industrial
stormwater permit and links to State stormwater permits, go to www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater
and click on "Industrial Activity."
What pollutants are associated with activities at my facility?
Pollutants conveyed in stormwater discharges from printing and publishing facilities will vary. There
are a number of factors that influence to what extent industrial activities and significant materials can
affect water quality.
4 Geographic location
4 Topography
4 Hydrogeology
4 Extent of impervious surfaces (e.g.,, concrete or asphalt)
4 Type of ground cover (e.g., vegetation, crushed stone, or dirt)
4 Outdoor activities (e.g., material storage, loading/unloading, vehicle maintenance)
4 Size of the operation
4 Type, duration, and intensity of precipitation events
The activities, pollutant sources, and pollutants detailed in Table 1 are commonly found at printing
and publishing facilities.
Table 1. Common Activities, Pollutant Sources, and Associated Pollutants at Printing and Publishing
Facilities
Activity
Plate preparation
Printing
Clean up
Stencil preparation
for screen printing
Material handling:
transfer, storage,
disposal
Photo processing
Fueling areas
Pollutant Source
Ink (lithography, letterpress, screen printing,
flexography), etch baths, and/or applying lacquer
Ink (lithography, letterpress, screen printing,
flexography), gravure
Used plates: type, die, press blankets, and rollers
Lacquer stencil film, photoemulsion, blockout (screen
filler)
Spills and leaks from material handling equipment
Spills and leaks from above ground tanks
Solvents; trash; petroleum products
Developing negatives and prints
Spills and leaks during fuel transfer, spills due to
"topping off" tanks, runoff from fueling areas,
washdown of fueling areas, leaking storage tanks,
spills of oils, brake fluids, transmission fluids, engine
coolants
Pollutant
Solvent, heavy metal, toxic waste, ink with
solvents chromium, and/or lead
Heavy metals (dust and sludge),
Ink - toxic wastes, heavy metals, solvents
Solvents, photographic processing wastes
Fuel, oil, heavy metals
Fuel, oil, heavy metals, material being stored
Heavy metals, spent solvents, oil
Heavy metals, spent solvents
Gas/diesel fuel, oil, lubricants, heavy metals
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
What BMPs can be used to minimize contact between stormwater
and potential pollutants at my facility?
A variety of BMP options may be applicable to eliminate or minimize the presence of pollutants in
stormwater discharges from printing and publishing facilities. You will likely need to implement a
combination or suite of BMPs to address stormwater runoff at your facility. Your first consideration
should be for pollution prevention BMPs, which are designed to prevent or minimize pollutants
from entering stormwater runoff and/or reduce the volume of stormwater requiring management.
Prevention BMPs can include regular cleanup, collection and containment of debris in storage areas,
and other housekeeping practices, spill control, and employee training. It may also be necessary to
implement treatment BMPs, which are engineered structures intended to treat stormwater runoff
and/or mitigate the effects of increased stormwater runoff peak rate, volume, and velocity. Treatment
BMPs are generally more expensive to install and maintain and include oil-water separators, wet
ponds, and proprietary filter devices. All printing and publishing facilities are required to implement
BMPs in the following areas of the site:
4 Material storage areas
4 Material handling operations and areas (e.g., blanket wash, mixing solvents, loading/unloading
materials)
4 Fueling areas
4 Above ground storage tank areas, including associated piping and valves
BMPs must be selected and implemented to address the following:
Good Housekeeping Practices
Good housekeeping is a practical, cost-effective way to maintain a clean and orderly facility to
prevent potential pollution sources from coming into contact with stormwater. It includes establishing
protocols to reduce the possibility of mishandling materials or equipment and training employees
in good housekeeping techniques. Common areas where good housekeeping practices should be
followed include trash containers and adjacent areas, material storage areas, vehicle and equipment
maintenance areas, and loading docks. Good housekeeping practices must include a schedule for
regular pickup and disposal of garbage and waste materials and routine inspections of drums, tanks,
and containers for leaks and structural conditions. Practices also include containing and covering
garbage, waste materials, and debris. Involving employees in routine monitoring of housekeeping
practices has proven to be an effective means of ensuring the continued implementation of these
measures.
Specific good housekeeping practices for printing and publishing facilities include:
4 Regular cleanup of above ground storage tank areas
4 Using dry cleanup methods in above ground storage tank areas and fueling areas
4 An inventory control plan to prevent excessive purchasing of potentially hazardous substances
Minimizing Exposure
Where feasible, minimizing exposure of potential pollutant sources to precipitation is an important
control option. Minimizing exposure prevents pollutants, including debris, from coming into contact
with precipitation and can reduce the need for BMPs to treat contaminated stormwater runoff. It can
also prevent debris from being picked up by stormwater and carried into drains and surface waters.
Examples of BMPs for exposure minimization include covering materials or activities with temporary
structures (e.g., tarps) when wet weather is expected or moving materials or activities to existing
or new permanent structures (e.g., buildings, silos, sheds). Even the simple practice of keeping a
dumpster lid closed can be a very effective pollution prevention measure.
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
Specific exposure minimization practices for printing and publishing facilities include:
4 Plainly labeling and storing all containerized materials (e.g., skids, pallets, solvents, bulk inks,
hazardous waste, empty drums, portable/mobile containers of plant debris, wood crates, steel
racks, fuel oil, etc.) in a protected area away from drains
4 Constructing containment areas or enclosures for those materials stored outdoors
4 Where applicable, replacing or repairing leaking connections, valves, transfer lines and pipes
that may carry chemicals or wastewater
4 Covering fueling areas
4 Covering/enclosing areas where the transfer of materials may occur
4 Using spill and overflow protection in fueling areas and material handling operations and
areas (e.g., blanket wash, mixing solvents, and loading/unloading materials)
4 Permanently sealing drains within critical above ground storage tank areas that may discharge
to a storm drain
4 Restricting access to above ground storage tank areas
Erosion and Sediment Control
BMPs must be selected and implemented to limit erosion on areas of your site that, due to topography,
activities, soils, cover, materials, or other factors are likely to experience erosion. Erosion control BMPs
such as seeding, mulching, and sodding prevent soil from becoming dislodged and should be consid-
ered first. Sediment control BMPs such as silt fences, sediment ponds, and stabilized entrances trap
sediment after it has eroded. Sediment control BMPs should be used to back-up erosion control BMPs.
Management of Runoff
Your SWPPP must contain a narrative evaluation of the appropriateness of stormwater management
practices that divert, infiltrate, reuse, or otherwise manage stormwater runoff so as to reduce the
discharge of pollutants. Appropriate measures are highly site-specific, but may include, among others,
vegetative swales, collection and reuse of stormwater, inlet controls, snow management, infiltration
devices, and wet retention measures.
Specific runoff management practices for printing and publishing facilities include:
4 Minimizing runoff of stormwater to fueling areas and above ground tank storage areas
4 Insertion of filters in catch basins adjacent to above ground tank storage areas
4 Treating and/or recycling stormwater runoff collected from fueling areas
A combination of preventive and treatment BMPs will yield the most effective stormwater
management for minimizing the offsite discharge of pollutants via stormwater runoff. Though not
specifically outlined in this fact sheet, BMPs must also address preventive maintenance records or
logbooks, regular facility inspections, spill prevention and response, and employee training.
All BMPs require regular maintenance to function as intended. Some management measures have
simple maintenance requirements, others are quite involved. You must regularly inspect all BMPs to
ensure they are operating properly, including during runoff events. As soon as a problem is found,
action to resolve it should be initiated immediately.
Implement BMPs, such as those listed below in Table 2 for the control of pollutants at printing and
publishing facilities, to minimize and prevent the discharge of pollutants in stormwater. Identifying
weaknesses in current facility practices will aid the permittee in determining appropriate BMPs that
will achieve a reduction in pollutant loadings. BMPs listed in Table 2 are broadly applicable to printing
and publishing facilities; however, this is not a complete list and you are recommended to consult with
regulatory agencies or a stormwater engineer/consultant to identify appropriate BMPs for your facility.
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
Table 2. BMPs for Potential Pollutant Sources at Printing and Publishing Facilities
Pollutant Source
BMPs
Plate preparation
FJ Use aqueous-developed lithographic plates or wipe-on plates.
Printing
Use press wipes as long as possible before discarding or laundering; dirty ones for the first
pass, clean ones for the second pass.
Remove solvent from dirty rags by squeeze or centrifuge prior to laundering.
Set up an in-house dirty rag cleaning operation if warranted or send to approved industrial
laundries, if available.
Use a dedicated press for inks with hazardous pigments/solvents.
Segregate used oil from solvents or other materials.
Use water-based inks in gravure and flexographic printing process.
Fill ink fountains with only enough ink for a run or shift; return un-emulsified inks to their
containers.
Substitute less toxic solvents for highly aromatic solvents; use detergent solutions.
Monitor baths and accurately replenish chemicals.
Use a solvent pump can instead of pouring solvent from a jug to minimize solvent use and
exposure.
Cleanup
Centralize liquid solvent cleaning in one location.
Designate special areas for draining or replacing fluids.
Label sinks as to proper disposal of liquids.
Use doctor blades and squeegees to remove as much ink as possible prior to cleaning with
solvent and rags.
Dry solvent-coated screens before washing them in water.
Do not clean screens over a sink or drain.
Minimize solvent use during equipment cleaning.
Substitute nontoxic or less toxic cleaning solvents.
Recover waste solvents on-site with batch distillation or utilize professional solvent recyclers.
Use counter-current washing instead of parallel rinse systems.
Use a closed-washing system.
Use equipment wash down water for making up subsequent batches.
Eliminate once-through cooling water for compressors.
Inspect the area regularly to ensure BMPs are implemented.
Train employees on waste control and disposal procedures.
Stencil preparation for
screen printing
Capture excess ink from silkscreen process before washing the screen to decrease amount of
ink used and cleaning emulsion used.
Photo processing
Collect and properly manage fixing bath, developer, used film, photographic paper, and
blackened ends of photosetting paper.
Material handling and
storage
Cover and/or enclose chemical storage areas (including temporary cover such as a tarp that
prevents contact with precipitation).
Provide secondary containment around chemical storage areas.
If containment structures have drains, ensure that the drains have valves, and that valves
are maintained in the closed position. Institute protocols for checking/testing stormwater in
containment areas prior to discharge.
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
Table 2. BMPs for Potential Pollutant Sources at Printing and Publishing Facilities (continued)
Pollutant Source
BMPs
Material handling and
storage (continued)
FJ Use double-walled tanks.
FJ Locate storage areas away from high traffic areas and surface waters.
Q Inspect storage tanks and piping systems (pipes, pumps, flanges, couplings, hoses, and
valves) for failures or leaks and perform preventive maintenance.
FJ Plainly label all containers.
Q Handle solvents in designated areas, preferably indoors or under a shed, away from drains,
ditches, and surface waters.
Q Identify potentially hazardous materials, their characteristics, and use.
FJ Control excessive purchasing, storage, and handling of potentially hazardous materials.
Q Maintain an inventory to identify quantity, receipt date, service life, users, and disposal routes.
FJ Return toxic material packaging to the supplier for re-use.
FJ Keep spill kits readily available.
Q If spills occur: stop the source of the spill immediately; contain the liquid until cleanup is
complete; cover the spill with absorbent material; keep the area well ventilated; dispose of
cleanup materials properly; do not use emulsifier or dispersant.
Q Store containerized materials (fuels, paints, inks, solvents, etc.) in a protected, secure location
and away from drains.
FJ Store reactive, ignitable, or flammable liquids in compliance with the local fire code.
Q Keep waste chemicals segregated to allow for reuse and recycling.
FJ Secure and carefully monitor hazardous materials to prevent theft, vandalism, and misuse of
materials.
FJ Provide drip pads/pans where chemicals are transferred from one container to another to
allow for recycling of spills and leaks.
Q Use spigots or funnels to reduce spills.
Q Use spill troughs for drums with taps.
FJ Train employees on proper filling and transfer procedures.
Q Train employees in spill prevention and control and proper materials management including
storage, cleanup, and disposal.
Aboveground storage
tanks
Q If area is uncovered, connect sump outlet to sanitary sewer (if possible) or an oil/water
separator, catch basin filter, etc. If connecting to a sanitary sewer check with the system
operator to ensure that the discharge is acceptable. If implementing separator or filter
technologies ensure that regular inspections and maintenance procedures are in place.
Q Develop and implement spill plans.
FJ Train employees in spill prevention and control.
Above ground tanks
Q Provide secondary containment, such as dikes, with a height sufficient to contain a spill
(the greater of 10 percent of the total enclosed tank volume or 110 percent of the volume
contained in the largest tank).
FJ If containment structures have drains, ensure that the drains have valves, and that valves
are maintained in the closed position. Institute protocols for checking/testing stormwater in
containment areas prior to discharge.
FJ Use double-walled tanks with overflow protection.
Q Keep liquid transfer nozzles/hoses in secondary containment area.
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
Table 2. BMPs for Potential Pollutant Sources at Printing and Publishing Facilities (continued)
Pollutant Source
BMPs
Aboveground storage
tanks (continued)
Portable containers/drums
Q Store drums indoors when possible.
Q Store drums, including empty or used drums, in secondary containment with a roof or cover
(including temporary cover such as a tarp that prevents contact with precipitation).
FJ Provide secondary containment, such as dikes or portable containers, with a height sufficient
to contain a spill (the greater of 10 percent of the total enclosed tank volume or 110 percent
of the volume contained in the largest tank).
FJ Install overflow protection devices on tank systems to warn operator or to automatically shut
down transfer pumps when tanks reach full capacity.
Vehicle and
equipment fueling
FJ Conduct fueling operations (including the transfer of fuel from tank trucks) on an impervious
or contained pad or under a roof or canopy where possible. Covering should cover extend
beyond spill containment pad to prevent rain from entering.
Q When fueling in uncovered area, use concrete pad (not asphalt).
Q Use drip pans where leaks or spills of fuel can occur and where making and breaking hose
connections.
FJ Use fueling hoses with check valves to prevent hose drainage after filling.
FJ Keep spill cleanup materials readily available.
FJ Clean up spills and leaks immediately.
FJ Minimize/eliminate run-on onto fueling areas with diversion dikes, berms, curbing, surface
grading or other equivalent measures.
FJ Collect stormwater runoff and provide treatment or recycling.
FJ Use dry cleanup methods for fuel area rather than hosing down the fuel area. Sweep up
absorbents as soon as spilled substances have been absorbed.
Q Regularly inspect and perform preventive maintenance on storage tanks to detect potential
leaks before they occur.
Q Inspect the fueling area for leaks and spills.
Q Provide curbing or posts around fuel pumps to prevent collisions from vehicles.
Q Discourage "topping off" of fuel tanks in receiving equipment.
Q Train personnel on vehicle fueling BMPs.
What if activities and materials at my facility are not exposed to
precipitation ?
The industrial stormwater program requires permit coverage for a number of specified types of
industrial activities. However, when a facility is able to prevent the exposure of ALL relevant activities
and materials to precipitation, it may be eligible to claim no exposure and qualify for a waiver from
permit coverage.
If you are regulated under the industrial permitting program, you must either obtain permit coverage
or submit a no exposure certification form, if available. Check with your permitting authority for
additional information as not every permitting authority program provides no exposure exemptions.
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INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER FACT SHEET SERIES
Sector X: Printing and Publishing Facilities
Where do I get more information?
For additional information on the industrial stormwater program see
www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/msgp.
A list of names and telephone numbers for each EPA Region or state NPDES permitting authority can
be found at www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatercontacts.
References
Information contained in this Fact Sheet was compiled from EPA's past and current Multi-Sector
General Permits and from the following sources:
4 City of Phoenix, Arizona, Street Transportation Department, Storm Water Management Section.
2004. Prevent Stormwater Contamination Best Management Practices for: Section X - Printing and
Publishing Facilities. SIC Codes: 2711-2796.
http://phoenix.gov/STREETS/printpub.pdf
4 EnviroSense. "Pollution Prevention Opportunities in the Printing Industry."
4 EnviroSense. "Fact Sheet Pollution Prevention: Strategies for the Printing Industry."
4 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRQ.1997. Commercial Printing Industry:
Compliance & Pollution Prevention Workbook.
www.pprc.org/pubs/workbook/print5.pdf
4 U.S. EPA, Office of Compliance. 1995. Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project - Profile of
the Printing and Publishing Industry. EPA/310-R-95-014.
4 U.S. EPA, Office of Science and Technology. 1999. Preliminary Data Summary of Urban Stormwater
Best Management Practices. EPA-821-R-99-012
www.epa.gov/OST/stormwater/
4 U.S. EPA, Office of Wastewater Management. NPDES Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit for
Industrial Activities (MSGP).
www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/msgp
4 World Bank Group. 1998. Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook.
www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000094946_99040905052283
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