DID YOU KNOW? – Cuyahoga River on Fire in Cleveland, Ohio – Raw wastewater spewed in the San Francisco Bay – City of Columbia Discharged Raw Wastewater in early 1970’s – No Mechanism to Systematically Fix Problems or Prevent Problems Help!!!
NPDES Permitting Making the Grade: Environmental Compliance at Colleges and Universities NPDES Permitting Program Brenda Green SCDHEC Water Facilities Permitting Division
Regulation Federal Water Pollution Control Act aka Clean Water Act (1972) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Clean Water Act The Clean Water Act prohibits anybody from discharging "pollutants" through a "point source" into "waters of the United States" unless they have an NPDES permit.
Typical Regulated Point Source Discharges Treated wastewater from POTWs, industries, private utilities Utility Water Discharges Stormwater
NPDES: Individual or General Permit? An Individual NPDES permit is specifically tailored for an individual facility. A General NPDES permit is developed and issued by the State to cover multiple facilities within the State of South Carolina.
Components of an NPDES Permit Permit Rationale Fact Sheet Attachments
NPDES Sample Permit Sample Permit
Inside a Permit Definitions Standard Conditions Limitations and Monitoring Requirements Schedule of Compliance Other Requirements
Rationale An explanation for why each parameter is or is not limited in the permit and, if limited, the basis for the limitation. Boilerplate language Discussion of limitations for each outfall
Attachments EXCEL spreadsheets Background data for receiving stream Source Water Protection Area Map
Utility water discharges Vehicle wash water discharges** Bulk petroleum storage activities Nonmetal mineral mining discharges Petroleum contaminated groundwater discharges Hydrostatic test water discharges Stormwater ** NPDES General Permits
NPDES Permit Reissuance Applications Be On Time! - Permittee notified by DHEC 270 days prior to expiration date of permit - Second notice sent 30 days prior to due date Be Complete! - Required 180 days prior to expiration date - Incomplete application does not satisfy reapplication requirements Be Paid Up! - Reissuance can be denied if there are outstanding fees in any program area
Common Compliance Issues Incomplete applications Incomplete/Incorrect DMR forms Late submissions Permit parameter violations – TSS – pH – BOD Seasonal violations – Low flow during weekends/summer – Unexpected high flows during rainy season
How to Comply with an NPDES Permit Review the proposed draft permit thoroughly and determine if your facility can meet limits Request compliance schedules for new and more stringent permit limits Upgrade treatment facilities as needed Make sure treatment plant is monitored daily as required by permit
How to Comply with an NPDES Permit (continued) Submit required reports to the Department in a timely manner Know what the regulations require Document requested changes in writing Ask Questions!!
Resources Regulation 61-9: Water Pollution Control Permits National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program NPDES Applications and Forms NPDES Frequently Asked Questions Subchapter N - Effluent Guidelines and Standards
Resources Regulation 61-67: Standards for Wastewater Facility Permitting Regulation 61-30: Environmental Protection Fees Wastewater Construction Permitting Program Construction Permit Application for Water/Wastewater Facilities
Questions?? Write:Brenda Green SCDHEC Bureau of Water 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC Call: (803) Website: