Manuals and Handbooks

"The Construction Site Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual" and the "Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Water Pollution Control Program (WPCP) Preparation Manual" incorporate the requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, Statewide Stormwater Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements for the State of California, Department of Transportation (Order No. 2012-0011 -DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000003) and the NPDES General Permit, Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Stormwater Runoff Associated with Construction Activity" (Order 2009-0009-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000002).

BMP Field Manual and Troubleshooting Guide 8 1/2 X 11" version (PDF)

BMP Field Manual and Troubleshooting Guide 5 1/2 X 8 1/2" pocket version (PDF)

Description: The Caltrans Construction Best Management Practices (BMPs) Field Manual and Troubleshooting Guide provides guidance for installing, maintaining and troubleshooting water pollution control BMPs. This guide discusses each BMP regarding appropriate applications and key points for installation, limitations, inspection and maintenance. Preventive measures and troubleshooting problems are also discussed for each BMP.

Construction Site BMP Manual May 2017 (PDF); Appendix B: Selection of Temporary Soil Stabilization Controls (PDF); Appendix C: Active Treatment Systems (PDF)

Description: This manual provides instructions for the selection and implementation of construction site best management practices (BMPs). Caltrans requires contractors to identify and utilize these BMPs in the preparation of their SWPPP or WPCP. Construction site BMPs are best conventional technology/best available technology BCT/BAT)-based BMPs that are consistent with the BMPs and control practices required under the Clean Water Act.

Construction Site Monitoring Program Guidance Manual August 2013 (PDF)

Description: This manual presents guidance for Caltrans staff and contractors to use in the planning and implementation of stormwater monitoring programs at construction sites, in compliance with:

  • Construction General Permit, Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit No. CAS000002.
  • Caltrans Stormwater permit, Order No. 2012-0011 -DWQ, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. CAS000003.

This manual also contains Construction Site Monitoring Program (CSMP) requirements based on:

  • Caltrans Statewide Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP), (Caltrans, 2016).
  • Caltrans Standard Specification.
  • Caltrans Standard Special Provisions.

This manual is designed and organized to provide descriptions of the processes used to plan and implement a successful water quality monitoring program specific to runoff from construction sites and complements Caltrans' Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Water Pollution Control Program (WPCP) Preparation Manual (Caltrans, 2011), particularly the Caltrans SWPPP Template. This manual should be used to complete SWPPP template Section 700 CSMP based on project specific information.

District Construction Stormwater Coordinators (DCSWC) Manual December 2017 (PDF)

Description: This Guidance Manual summarizes the responsibilities of the District Construction Stormwater Coordinator (CSWC) as defined in the Caltrans Construction Manual and the Caltrans Statewide Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP), and as identified by Headquarters and District CSWC staff throughout the state. The Guidance Manual also provides copies of referenced forms, useful samples of working documents, andsuggestions for the CSWC to facilitate the implementation of the statewide and District-specific responsibilities for water pollution control.

Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering (PDF)

Description: This Field Guide provides Caltrans Resident Engineers and appropriate field staff with the information necessary to manage dewatering operations on construction sites to maintain compliance with Federal and State water quality protection regulations.

Storm Water Multi-Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS) User Manual (PDF)

Description: User manual for the storm water multi-application and report tracking system developed by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

SWPPP/WPCP Preparation Manual October 2016 (PDF)

Description: This document guides Contractors and Caltrans staff through the process of preparing a SWPPP and WPCP. The SWPPP and WPCP Manual provides detailed step-by-step procedures, instructions, examples and a template that contractors shall use to prepare the SWPPP/WPCP. The SWPPP/WPCP is a document that must assess the site conditions, sources of sediment and other pollutants in Stormwater and non-Stormwater discharges, identify the BMPs that will best suit the construction activities and meet Caltrans and the Clean Water Act pollution control objectives.

  • List of Major Changes between 2007 & 2003 SWPPP/WPCP Preparation Manuals
  • SWPPP/WPCP Preparation Manual March 2007
  • SWPPP/WPCP Preparation Manual March 2003