1. Limits
Welcome to the Parameter Limits module. Parameter Limits are the last step when entering your limit requirements. Remember the permitted feature and the limit set must exist in ICIS before you can add the parameter limits and values. If the permitted feature (s), and limit set (s) have not been established, you will need to access the permitted feature and then the limit set modules first.

2. Permitted Tracking Events
Permit Limits Status
Permit Basic
Permitted Tracking Events
Permitted Features
Limit Sets
If you are entering our sample permit for General Foods along with us, note that the permit basic information, permit tracking events, permitted features and limit sets have been added for our sample General Foods permit. We have the green light to enter our parameter limits now. The last module associated with our permit will be to check the permit to see if there are any permit schedule requirements. If so, you will need to access the module for narrative conditions, which are schedules in a permit, once you have completed entering the permit limits.
Limits

3. Permit Limits in ICIS
How can I tell in ICIS if the Permitted Feature and Limit Sets have been entered?
How can I tell if the permitted features and limit sets have been entered into ICIS? Once you search the permit and click on Permitted Features hyperlink, you should see a permitted feature, such as 001, 002, SUM, etc. To see the limit sets as displayed on this screen, click on the Limit Set hyperlink. You will see 3 limit sets that were created for our General Foods example permit.

4. Parameter Limit Defined
A Limit is a parameter (something to be measured) with associated numerical limits or monitoring requirements for a release to the environment from a permitted feature
A parameter may be one of the following
Chemical (e.g., phosphorus)
Biological organism (e.g., fecal coliform)
Physical condition (e.g., temperature)
Characteristic (e.g., pH)
A limit is a parameter, something to be measured with associated numerical limits or monitoring requirements for a release to the environment from a permitted feature. A parameter may be a chemical, biological organism, physical condition or a characteristic. Examples of those parameters that are monitored are phosphorus, fecal coliform, temperature and pH.

5. Parameter Limits on DMR Form
Limit Values determine the data a Permittee has to report on DMRs for a parameter
Limit Values determine the data a permittee has to report on the Discharge Monitoring Report (D M R) form for a specific parameter. Values can be reported in 5 columns on the DMR form. Quantity or Loading average and maximum and concentration minimum, average and maximum fields.

6. ICIS Columns Defined
ICIS refers to the value fields as Q1, Q2, C1, C2 and C3.
The terms “Average”, “Maximum” and Minimums” have no meaning as the Statistical Base code defines the type measurement taken for each value field.
ICIS is more flexible than the DMR form, and will allow up to 5 minimums, 5 averages, or 5 maximum values for each parameter limit. Q1 Q2 C1 C2 C3
For the 5 columns on the DMR form, the terms that are displayed on the form show the quantity or loading average and maximum and quality or concentration minimum, average and maximum. In our legacy database these column titles were used to enter minimum, averages and maximums. Later on when toxicity was added to permits it was necessary to be able to enter 2 minimums. To allow for the most flexibility in ICIS, the statistical base code is added to the permit requirement gray box to explain whether the value should be reported as a minimum, average or maximum value. You could enter up to 5 minimums, up to 5 averages, or up to 5 maximums or any combination. For consistency, many of the parameters are entered using the minimum, average and maximum columns if possible. ICIS refers to the columns as Q1, Q2 for the quantity or loading values, and C1, C2, and C3 for the concentration values. Coding these fields will be discussed at length a little later on in this module.

7. Permitted Feature Identifier Limit Set Designator Parameter Code
Limit Segments
Limits are organized within a Limit Set by Parameter (e.g., Ammonia Nitrogen)
A Parameter is defined as a collection of Limit Segments that have matching
NPDES ID
Permitted Feature Identifier
Limit Set Designator
Parameter Code
Monitoring Location Code
Season ID
Limits are organized within a limit set by parameter, for example Ammonia Nitrogen. A parameter is defined as a collection of limit segments that have a matching NPDES id, permitted feature identifer, limit set designator, parameter code, monitoring location and a season id.

8. There are three kinds of Limit Segments Base Limits
Segments are the actual Limits or monitoring requirements for a Parameter
Usually Segments for a Parameter have different Limit Start and/or End Dates
There are three kinds of Limit Segments
Base Limits
Permit Modification Limits (PML)
Enforcement Action Limits (EA)
Let’s talk about Limit Segments. What do we mean by limit segment? A limit segment are the actual limits or monitoring requirements for a parameter. Usually segments have a different limit start date and or a different end date. There are three kinds of limit segments. Base limits, permit modification limits referred to as P M L and enforcement action limits referred to as E A.

9. Limit Segments
Base Limits are the Limits initially issued with the Permit
PMLs are Limits that result from a Permit Modification
EA Limits are the Limits applied by an Enforcement Action’s Final Order
Limits for Segments within a Parameter can overlap each other
When Limits overlap, there is a hierarchy that determines which segment applies for a given point in time
EA Limits supercede PMLs and Base Limits
PMLs supercede Base Limits
Base limits are the limits initally issued within the permit. P M L s are limits that result from a permit modification. E A Limits are the limits applied by an enforcement actions final order. Limit segments within a parameter can overlap each other. When the limits overlap, there is a hierarchy that determines which segment applies for a given point in time. An enforcement action limit will supercede a modification or base limit. A modification limit will supercede the base limit. Let’s review an example of the 3 limit segments for the parameter Arsenic.

10. Limit Segments for Arsenic
PARAMETER
(VA , 001-A, Arsenic, Effluent Gross, Season 1)
Base Limit
Start
End
Value = 4
PML
Start
End
Value = 2
Only one limit segment can be in effect at a time. The Base limit usually has a start and end date for the 5 year permit. As you can see the limit value is equal to 4. When the permit modification starts, it overrules the base limit, so the value is now 2. When the enforcement action limit starts, it will overrule the modification and the base limit, so the value is now 7. At the end of the segment, the system will check to see if a permit modification is in effect and if not will revert back to the base limit. You can tell by the darker blue color when the E A limit ended, ICIS checks the permit modification’s end date and in this case the modified limit ended before the E A limit, so ICIS will revert back to the base limit.
Enforcement Action Limit
Start
End
Value = 7

11. Limit Segments ICIS Example of Limit Segments Base Limit Modification
Enforcement Action Limit
This is an example of how the segments would look in ICIS. The base limit has a start date which is the effective date of the permit and an end date on the expiration date of the permit. From September 2012 thru December 2012 the base limit is in effect. Then the modification start date is January 2013 and the limit is in effect until the enforcement action limit starts which is July When the enforcement action limit ends on October 31, 2013, ICIS will check to see the end date on the permit modification. Since the modification date was before the end date of the enforcement action limit of 10/31/2013, the limit will revert back to the base limit which ends in One note …. if the end date is the same for multiple segments, the hierarchy that we discussed earlier is in effect. Enforcement action overrules all, then the modification overrules the base limit.

12. Test Your Knowledge
Which limit is in effect for the month? Base, Mod, or Enf Action
July 2011
March 2012
September 2010
December 2010
October 2015
Test your knowledge. Which limit is in effect for the five months displayed on this screen? The base limit, modification limit or the enforcement action limit. Remember the hierarchy – it’s tricky.

13. Test Your Knowledge - Answer
Which limit is in effect for the month? Base, Mod, or Enf Action
July Enf Action
March Mod
September Base
December Enf Action
October Mod
And the answers are July 2011 is enforcement action, March 2012 is from a modification, September 2010 is from Base Limit, December 2010 is from an Enforcement Action and October 2015 is from a MOD. Remember if the mod and base limit end on the expiration date of the permit, the modification rules.

14. Expected DMRs
An Expected DMR Schedule is generated when Limits are added to a Limit Set
Parameters with a limit value or monitoring requirement will show on the expected DMRs
Once a parameter is entered, ICIS will generate an expected DMR schedule. You can view the expected DMRs in ICIS. The expected DMRs are similar to a place holder for data that is expected to be reported. The expected DMR data is used to evaluate whether the expected data was reported or not and to automatically generate non-receipt violations. Expected DMRs will be discussed further in the DMR module.

15. Limit Segments
If DMR data have been received for a segment and a new segment is added, the data may be moved to the new segment
Updates to Limits such as changing dates and months will result in updates to the Expected DMR Schedule
Any changes to the Expected DMR Schedule may result in updates to Violations for the received DMR data
Any change that will result in orphaned received DMR data will be rejected
A little more about segments. If DMR data has been received for a segment and a new segment is added, the data may move to the new segment if it is within the time frame. Updates to limits such as changing dates and months will result in updates to the expected DMR schedule. Any changes to the expected DMR schedule may result in updates to violations for the received DMR data. Any change that will result in orphaned received DMR data will be rejected. In the limit set module we discussed orphaned data and had some examples. If you need a refresher, you can access the Limit Set module.

16. Limit Segments
When the Permit’s Expiration Date is reached its Limits remain in effect
Base and PML segments with Limit End Date = Permit Expiration date are eligible for Administrative Continuance
If more than one Segment is eligible for Administrative Continuance for a Parameter, the one highest in the hierarchy will be continued
When the permit’s expiration date is reached, the limits remain in effect. If the base limit and or permit modified limit have an end date that is the same as the permit expiration date, the limits are eligible for Administrative Continuance. If more than one segment is eligible for Administrative continuance, the one highest in the hierarchy will be continued. In this case, the modified permit limits would be in effect.

17. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Let’s get started entering parameter limits. A copy of the front page of the General Foods permit is displayed. We will code this permit. You are not required to code the permit, it is for practice only.

18. Entering Parameter Base Limits
As a reminder, we created 3 limit sets for our training example A, 001 Q, and INFL A. Notice there is no hyperlink available for Limits. You will need to identify which limit set that you want to enter limits for and on the far right choose the Limits icon for 001 A, 001 Q or INFL A. We will begin entering limits for 001-A, so choose the Limits icon for that limit set.

19. Entering Parameter Base Limits
When you click on the limits icon, you will find there are no existing limits in the database and the message will say “Nothing Found to Display”. You have 3 choices on the screen. “Add Base Limit, Add Permit Modification Limit or Add Enforcement Action Limit. While you could enter an Enforcement action limit from this screen, we recommend locating the enforcement action and entering the limit from inside the action. We will enter our first Base limit.

20. The Limit Screen captures the following information
Limit Identification
Limit Information
Values
User Defined Fields
Trade Partners
Stay Information
Stay Values
The Limit Screen captures the following information. Limit information, values, user defined fields, trade partners and stay information.

21. Parameter Requirements
When reviewing the permit limits for Discharge Number 001, all the parameters with continuous, daily, weekdays, weekly, monthly, etc. would be grouped together on one Limit Set. For our training example, those parameters will be coded on Limit Set 001 A. Any parameters for quarterly monitoring will be grouped together on a different limit set. Notice the quarterly parameters are circled in blue. We recommend that you circle, or highlight the data to remind you to put the parameters on a different limit set. Remember that if you combine all parameters on Limit Set 001 A, every parameter will be expected every month. Therefore, the quarterly requirements for Lead and Copper will receive 2 invalid months of non-reporting violations every quarter for the life of the permit. Lead and Copper will be entered on a different Limit Set for quarterly monitoring which we will enter on limit set 001 Q.

22. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Notice there are 2 columns for Load Limits and 2 columns for concentration in the permit. On the DMR form there are 5 columns. The concentration minimum column is missing in the permit. Many permits are written this way, and you have to watch closely for “Minimum” requirements. We will be discussing the important information that is in the permit that will be required to be entered into ICIS. Let’s begin entering our first parameter - Flow. Notice there are no values under the quantity / loading side or in the concentration columns for flow. They are required to monitor continuous with a Totalizing Meter. Be sure to look for any footnotes on the bottom of the permit page with additional requirements. Notice the footnote at the bottom of the page for flow which is displayed with the star. More specific instructions were included in the footnote. Flow must be reported as a monthly average and daily maximum. (Not a weekly average as noted on the column header.)

23. Data Entry Screen for Limits
Here is the screen for entering the basic parameter limits into ICIS. We will be discussing the portions of this screen now. Additional fields are at the bottom of the screen which we will discuss later.

24. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Key Data Fields
Parameter code
Monitoring Location
Season id
Dates
The first required field is the 5 digit parameter code. You can search for the parameter named “Flow”, or enter the 5 digit parameter code if you know what it is. Let’s search for “Flow” first.

25. Entering Parameter Base Limits
%flow
Notice on the pop up window, there are several different flow values. Our list provides any parameters that begin with the word flow. (about 2 screens) If we would have used our wildcard and searched for % flow, many more flow parameters would be available. (about 4 screens) You can check with someone or look at limits in ICIS to see which parameter code was most often used for flow in your agency. Most of the time parameter code is used for flow.

26. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Since we know the 5 digit parameter for flow is 50050, we could have entered the code instead. The next required field is the monitoring location.

27. Entering Parameter Base Limits
The Monitoring Location is a required field. Where is the sample taken, upstream, downstream, effluent Gross value, etc. The majority of the time the answer is “1” effluent gross value. You will need to read your permit carefully. In general if not specifically stated in the permit, you can assume effluent gross value is the correct choice. We will enter a “1” for our sample permit for 001 and the INFL limits in the permit specify Influent in the description, so we will check the list for the best option for Influent which is “G” for Raw Sewage Influent. Write on your copy of the permit to use monitoring location “G” on the INFL limit set so you don’t forget. If you use the wrong monitoring location, you will have to delete the limit and all DMR data that has been keyed, add the correct limit and reenter the DMR data.

28. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Season ID
Numeric, 0 thru 12
Defaults to “0”
Season Id is a required field and defaults to zero. The season id is a numerical field and you can enter zero thru the number 12. We will code an example of a seasonal limit so you can see how this field is used.

29. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Limit Start Date defaults to Permit Effective Date
Limit End Date defaults to Permit Expiration Date
Notice the start and end dates are required fields and they are automatically populated with the permit effective and expiration dates.

30. Entering Parameter Base Limits
Change of Limit Status Indicator shows whether the Limit is a Base, PML, or EA Limit
Base: blank
PML: Modification
EA Limit: Enforcement Action
If the Limit is a PML, Modification Effective Date and Modification Type are displayed and required
As we continue to walk thru the limits screen, you will see two fields under the parameter information. The change of limit status indicates if this limit is from a Base limit – if so the field is blank. If this is a permit modification limit, PML would be displayed in this field, and if this is an enforcement action limit, EA Limit would be displayed in this field. If a permit modification is entered, you will be required to enter an effective date and a modification type from the pull down menu. We are entering base limits at this time.
Base
PML

31. Limit Information
Let’s discuss the Limit Information portion of the screen.

32. Limit Months ALL Months are “ON” as a default when adding a limit
The Limit Months dictate which months the Limit applies
For example, if a Limit does not apply in September 2013, it will not appear on a DMR for 09/30/2013
The system will warn users if they create seasonal Limits for a parameter with overlapping Months
All months are “on” as a default when adding a limit. It is important to know that the months checked on the Limit override the months checked on the limit set. In this example, the limit is not in effect for the months of September thru December. This limit would not appear on the September 2013 DMR.

33. Enforceable Limits are eligible to receive Effluent Violations
Limit Information
Limit Type indicates how the Limit should be evaluated for Effluent Violations
Enforceable Limits are eligible to receive Effluent Violations
Limit Type default
Alert Limits are not eligible to receive Effluent Violations
The limit type field indicates how the Limit should be evaluated for effluent violations. The default is enforceable limits which means the limit will be evaluated for effluent violations. The vast majority of limits in ICIS are enforceable. Alert limits are another option, and when selected the parameter will not be evaluated for effluent violations. In some cases, you may need to monitor a specific parameter to see if they are getting close to a certain threshold where they may indicate the permit limit needs to be modified. The alert limits will assist you in identifying those parameters without causing a violation.

34. Limit Information
Sample Type and Frequency of Analysis are required data
If the sample type of frequency of analysis is different than the permit requirements, you can pull an ICIS report to see the discrepancies
Ex. Permit requirement – sample weekdays
DMR form – sample once that week
The sample type and frequency of analysis are required data if specified in the permit. You can pull an ICIS report to check for any discrepancies in reporting. For example, if the permittee was required to sample weekdays and they once sampled once a week, that may or may not be a violation. A closer look at the data may show they only discharged 4 days of the month. It is beneficial to view the report to see if a permittee is continuously not using the correct sample type and or frequency of analysis.

35. Limit Information Effluent Trading Partner Program
The last field is for limits that are eligible for burden reduction. We are not aware of permittees using this program at this time. so we will not be discussing this topic in detail. The Effluent Trading Partner program is a voluntary exchange of pollutant reduction credits. At a very basic level, water quality trading occurs when a facility with high pollutant control costs purchases pollutant credits from another entity that is generating these credits through pollutant load reductions elsewhere in the watershed. To learn more, access the epa website. ICIS was built to meet the needs of this program.

36. Limit Values
Up to five Values may be entered for each Limit that will be reported on for its DMRs
Two Quantity (Q1, Q2)
Three Concentration (C1, C2, C3)
The minimum data elements that need to be entered to create a Limit Value are
Unit
Statistical Base Code
Now you must decide which fields to enter the value data for each parameter. Here is an example of a requirement that has quantity and concentration values. The Q1, Q2, C2 and C3 fields are required. The C1 value is blank which is usually used for the minimum requirements. The Unit of measure such as pounds per day, and the statistical base codes such as monthly average or daily maximum were entered for this parameter.

37. Limit Values
Different units are entered for Quantity and Concentration Values
Units must be valid for the Limit’s Parameter Code (e.g., cannot enter mg/l for pH)
The Statistical Base code indicates
Value is a Minimum, Maximum, Average, or Total
Impacts violation calculations, RNC/SNC determinations
Different units of measure are usually entered for the Quantity and Concentration Values. However in some instances, such as flow you can enter million gallons per day in the Quantity Units and Concentration units. ICIS will filter to the list of unit codes based on the specific parameter. For instance p H, will only be allowed on the concentration side, with a concentration unit code of “Standard Units”. Milligrams per liter is not applicable for this parameter and will not be available. The Statistical Base code indicates whether the value is a minimum, maximum, Average, Total, etc. The Statistical Base code impacts violation calculations and RNC SNC determinations. If inaccurate violations are being generated, this is the first place I look.

38. There are three types of Limit Values that may be created
Limited: Limit Value is entered
Required Monitoring: Limit Value is blank and Optional Monitoring = No
Optional Monitoring: Limit Value is blank and Optional Monitoring = Yes
Limited
Optional
Monitoring
Required
Monitoring
There are 3 possibilities for the Limit Values. The first is a numerical limit value which is shown in the Q1 field. The required fields are the Quantity Units, Value Field, and statistical base code. The qualifer is optional. They will get a violation if they exceed the numerical value of 5 (since the statistical base code is an average) and they will get a violation if they fail to report this field. The second option is that the facility has to report the data with no numerical value. An example is in the C3 field on the far right. They will get a non-reporting violation if they fail to report this field. The third scenario is if the facility has optional reporting. Usually this applies to special conditions and they may or may not be required to report for a particular month or monitoring period. The unit code and Statistical base code is required and the check will be entered in the Optional Monitoring field. Failure to report the C2 field will not result in a non-reporting violation. It is important to get familiar with this screen when coding limits.

39. Limit Value Qualifier There are four ways a limited Value qualifier
Less Than (<)
Less Than or Equal To (<=)
Greater Than (>)
Greater Than or Equal To (>=)
For example if a Limit is < 0.5, entering a DMR Value of 0.5 exceeds that Limit. If a Limit is <= 0.5, entering a DMR Value of 0.5 will not exceed that Limit
There are 4 options for the limit value qualifier. Less than, less than or equal to, greater than, or greater than or equal to. For example, if the limit value qualifier in the permit is less than 0.5, entering a DMR value of 0.5 exceeds that limit. If the limit value qualifier is greater than or equal to 0.5, then a reported value of 0.5 will not exceed the limit.

40. Limit Information - User Defined Fields
Optional fields designed for the State or Regions use
User defined fields can be used by the States or Regions to track additional information.

41. Effluent Trading Partners
Effluent Trade Partners are displayed on the Edit Limit screen
Effluent Trade Partners will be displayed on the Edit Limit Screen if this program is being used and the information has been entered into the database.

42. Limit Values - Stay Information
A Limit may be stayed by a court injunction or an appeal
Three options for entering a Limit that has been stayed
Suppress Effluent Violation generation (Stay Type = X)
Suppress DMR Non-Receipt Violation generation and DMR pre-printing (Stay Type = Y)
Use an alternate Stay Value (Stay Type = Z)
Stay Start and End Dates indicate the duration of a Stay
Stay End Date can be blank
A limit may be stayed by a court injunction or an appeal. Usually the facility will revert back to their previous permit limits, or will be required to monitor only for the current permit, or they are not required to report the parameters being disputed until a resolution is reached. There are 3 options for entering a limit that has been stayed. The Stay Type of X means that the effluent violation will not be generated. The Stay Type equal to Y means the DMR non-receipt violation will not be generated, and the parameter will not be displayed on a preprinted DMR. The Stay Type equal to Z means that an alternate value will be monitored during this time. The Stay start and end dates are entered and a reason for the stay is recommended. Once a decision is made, and the facility has to abide by that permit limit, you will need to enter the Stay Violation Calculation Indicator. If yes is entered, the data reported will be evaluated for effluent violations.

43. Limit Values – Stay Information
Stay Values may be entered if the Stay Type of Z is used
These Alternate Values will be used instead of the Limit Values during the duration of the Stay
If the Stay Type value is equal to Z, you will enter the alternate limits that will apply while the request is pending.

44. Limit Values – Stay Information
After a Stay has ended
A Stay End Date is entered
The Stay Violation Calculation Indicator tells the system whether to reevaluate the DMR data for the duration of the Stay
After the Stay has ended, enter the Stay End Date. Also, enter the Stay Violation Calculator Indicator. If the decision is that the permit limit applies, then you will choose “yes”. At that time, effluent violations will be calculated for the entire time the limit was stayed.

45. Screen Options Do we have other parameters to add?
Save & Exit Saves record and goes to “Add Limit” page
Save & Continue Saves record and remains on screen
Save & Add Another Saves record and enables you to enter next parameter
Save & Add Season Saves record and enables you to add season
Cancel Error made, start over
You have several save options. Save and Exit will save the parameter record and take you to the “Add Limit” page. Save and Continue will save the parameter and remain on the screen so that you can verify the data entered. Save and Add Another is used when you have multiple parameters to add. Save and Add Season is used when entering seasonal limits. Cancel is used if you discover that an error was made and you need to start over. We will discuss 2 of these options in more detail.

46. Save and Add Another Option
When the user clicks the Save & Add Another button, values copied to the new Add screen:
Season ID
Start Date
End Date
Sample Type
Frequency of Analysis
The Months and Statistical Base Codes will continue to reflect the defaults on the Limit Set
When the Save and Add Another option is selected, some of the values will be copied over to the new Add screen. The Season id, start date, end date, sample type and frequency of analysis. In addition, if you had set specific months and Statistical Base Codes when establishing your Limit Set defaults, those would be reflected on the add screen also.

47. Save and Add Season Option
When the user clicks the Save & Add Season button, values copied to the new Add screen:
Start Date
End Date
Sample Type
Frequency of Analysis
The Season ID will be blank
The Months and Statistical Base Codes will continue to reflect the defaults on the Limit Set
When the Save and Add Season option is selected, some of the values will be copied over to the new Add screen. The Start Date, End Date, Sample type and Frequency of analysis fields. The Season ID will be blank. The first season was zero and this one could be one. Another option is to change the season zero on the first limit to 1 and this one 2. It is your choice. In addition, if you had set specific months and Statistical Base Codes when establishing your Limit Set defaults, those would be reflected on the add screen also.

48. Entering Permit Limits
Let’s continue entering our permit limits for the General permit sample permit. You can enter the limits in the Test database along with us, or just listen to the module.

49. Flow Base Limit
The first parameter we will code is for Flow. The top of the screen shows the permit requirements for Flow. Remember to watch for any footnotes. The permit has a footnote related to flow which is shown at the bottom of the screen. Earlier we searched for the parameter flow, so the 5 digit parameter code is equal to The monitoring location equal to 1 is entered for effluent gross value, and the season id equal to zero which is the system default. The start and the end date were automatically populated with the permit effective and expiration date. Flow is required all year, so all months are checked. The Limit type defaults to enforceable, and we need to enter the Frequency of Analysis and Sample Type from the permit. The permit requires a sample frequency of Continuous and Sample type of Totalizing Meter

50. Flow Base Limit, Continued
Which side of the form should Flow be reported?
Quantity or Concentration
Which side of the form should Flow be reported? Quantity or Concentration. One of the ways to tell is to search some of the permits your agency has coded in the past. Because of the Legacy system, almost all flow values were reported on the quantity side. (used to be the only option). However since the concentration side was not being used, someone asked to add the units for flow, so you can enter this particular parameter on either side.

51. Unit Codes
ICIS will automatically narrow down these lists based on the parameter that you entered. Notice the quantity units and concentration units for flow appear to be exactly the same. Both show the permit requirements of million gallons per day, so flow can be reported on either side. One item to note here is that you can request additional unit codes to be added to the tables, however you must be able to convert to standards units. For example you will not be able to convert pounds per day to milligrams per liter. You can convert pounds per day to kilograms per day. ICIS Customer Support can assist when adding unit codes to tables.

52. Flow Base Limit, Continued
Select –
Quantity Unit Code
As a reminder, if this is a report only requirement, the unit code and statistical base code must be entered. In the footnotes, it is stated that flow shall be reported as a monthly average (from the pull down menu) which is in the Q1 field, and daily maximum which will be entered in the Q2 field. I pressed the letter “M” 13 times to get to Monthly Average. You can also enter the letter M and scroll the rest of the way. Since there are no units on the concentration unit side, the facility will not be required to report on that side of the form.

53. Flow Base Limit, Continued
We have completed the flow parameter and your screen should look like this if you are entering the General Foods Permit. We are going to enter a seasonal limit parameter, and a couple more. Then you are on your own to entire all the remaining parameter limits. Let’s choose Save and Add Another.

54. Back to the Permit – Seasonal Limits
We are going to skip down and enter seasonal limits for Ammonia Nitrogen. The parameter code used is 00610, so that will save you a little time on the search. If you search for ammonia nitrogen, it could be listed as Nitrogen comma Ammonia. It is best to use the wildcard feature to find any descriptions with the word Ammonia anywhere in the name.

55. Adding Seasonal Limits
Save and Add Another
Fields copied over
Check closely, any changes for Ammonia Nitrogen
Because we had selected Save and Add another, some of the fields were copied over. Notice the Start date, end date, months, limit type (default), sample type, frequency of analysis and eligible for burden reduction (default). Check closely for any changes to the Ammonia Nitrogen limit.

56. Test Your Knowledge
Which fields that were copied over need to change based on the permit requirements. Season ID? Your choice, you can leave as a zero, or change to a one. You have 3 sets of seasonal limits. For our example, we will leave as a zero, the default. The start and end date remain the same. Month’s need to be changed. Check the months that apply. What about the frequency of analysis and sample type? Yes, they need to be changed. The changes will be displayed on the next screen.

57. Adding Seasonal Limits
Which set of limits are we entering first? Can you tell by the months checked? Notice the parameter code, 00610, monitoring location equal to 1, appropriate months checked, and changed the sample type and frequency of analysis.

58. Adding Seasonal Units
We will enter the first set of seasonal limits and use the save & add season option until we have completed all 3 sets.

59. Adding Seasonal Units
Does the facility have quantity or loading limits? Yes. The loading limit is 13 and no value is required in the Weekly Average column. What are they measuring – pounds per day or kilograms per day or some other unit? Search the quantity unit code and locate pounds per day. Do they have any requirements on the concentration side of the form? Yes, 7.7 and What is the measure of unit for the concentration side? Milligrams per liter, micrograms per liter or some other measure? Search the concentration unit code for the mg/l which stands for milligrams per liter. Search results are displayed on the next page.

60. Unit Code Search
When you search for the Unit Codes, only codes available for that specific parameter will appear. Be sure to enter the limits for the concentration unit code if applicable (from experience, that field is missed sometimes and you won’t realize it until you try to save the record).

61. Adding Seasonal Units 13 7.7 10.5 MO AVG MO AVG WKLY AVG
What is the numerical requirement for the Q1 field What is the statistical base code? This is a required field that indicates this is an average, minimum, maximum, etc. Above the 13 is monthly average. Remember to check the footnotes to see if details change. There is a dash in the next column. There are 2 requirements for concentration. Usually unless this is a minimum, we enter the values in the average and maximum column on the DMR form. C2 and C3 fields. The value is 7.7 and the stat base code above is monthly average. The next value is 10.5 and the stat base code is weekly average. 13
MO AVG
7.7
MO AVG
10.5
WKLY AVG

62. Adding Seasonal Units
The first seasonal parameter for ammonia nitrogen will look like this in ICIS.

63. Adding Seasonal Units
Since we have another Season to add, we will choose the Save and add season option.

64. Adding Seasonal Units
Notice which fields were copied over. Notice Season id is blank, months are blank, units and stat base code remains. Be careful….. Did sample type or freq of analysis change? Is data still required in the Q1, Q2, C1, C2, or C3 fields?

65. Adding Seasonal Units
Add the Season id 1, months and the Value’s. Check the frequency of analysis, sample type, and statistical base codes. Do you have any other seasons to add? If so, click on “Add Season”. Yes, we have one more season to add.

66. Adding Seasonal Units
Be sure to enter “Season number 2”. The last season is a little tricky. Notice there is no requirement in the Q1 field (under the numbers 13 and 10). If you leave the statistical base code in ICIS, the facility will get a non-reporting violation because they failed to report. You need to blank out the statistical base code by clicking in the top of the pull down menu. If a facility is showing up for invalid violations, this is the first place to look. Also, they have not reported in the 2nd column previously. We will key in the value 19 and the statistical base code in the Q2 field. The same applies to the C2 field – this is not required, so you must blank out the statistical base code or non-reporting violations will be generated.

67. Adding Seasonal Units
This screen shows the correct way this parameter is entered with the Statistical Base codes removed in the Q1 and C2 fields. Are there any other seasons to code for ammonia nitrogen? No. Do we have any other parameters to add? Yes, choose Save and Add Another.

68. Adding Additional Parameters
This is the screen that is displayed when you choose save and add another. It is important to catch the season id and change it back to the default of zero. Enter the remaining parameters. Be sure to read the Special Conditions. There is a required parameter to be reported on the DMR which must be included.

69. Quarterly Requirements
Remember to switch Limit Sets in order to enter the 2 quarterly parameter requirements.

70. General Foods Permit Finish all other parameters for 001 A
CBOD
TSS
Dissolved Oxygen (minimum)
pH See Footnotes
Total Residual Chlorine See Special Conditions
Add base limits to 001 Q
Lead
Copper
Add base limits to INFL A (monitoring location changes to influent structure)
Flow monitoring location = G
BOD monitoring location = G
TSS monitoring location = G
To assist you with coding the permit and to ensure the limits match our DMRs, the most common used parameter codes used for the parameters listed are displayed. At the end of this presentation will be a copy of the limits that you can use to verify your work.

71. Other Important Tips for Limits
We will cover a few important tips for coding limits.

72. Editing Key Elements
Mistakes in entering the Limit Start and End Dates may be fixed using the Edit Key Elements function
As a reminder, you cannot change the effective and expiration date in a permit. However, you can change limit start and end dates. Click on the Edit Key Elements icon.
Need to change start of mod limit to 01/01/2011 instead of 2012

73. Editing Key Elements Change the “Target” date to 01/01/2011 and save
This screen allows the user to edit multiple segments in one transaction
This prevents the creation of gaps or overlaps between segments
Notice the only 2 fields which are editable are in white. We changed the target start date to 1/1/2011 and saved.
Change the “Target” date to 01/01/2011 and save

74. Editing Key Elements
DMR data impacted by the date changes will be reevaluated for violation detection
Once your changes have been saved, you will be able to view the changes. Any DMRs impacted by the date changes will be reevaluated for violation detection. For this specific example the DMRs from August 2010 thru December 2010 were evaluated against the modification limit. When the date was changed to start on 1/1/2011, the DMRs were reevaluated against the Base Limit. Since the Base limits are lower, violations may have occurred.

75. Deleting a Limit Segment
Deleting a Limit segment may cause received DMR data to move to another Limit segment and to be reevaluated for Violations
Deleting a segment is prevented if
Received DMR data will be orphaned
If it is the last Base Limit or PML
If there are EA Limits for the parameter
Gaps would be created between the Limit Start and End Dates of a group of Limits
Deleting a limit segment may cause received DMR data to move to another Limit segment and will be reevaluated for violations. Deleting a Limit Segment is prevent if there is any received DMR data that will be orphaned. For example, a facility may have a requirement for BOD as the base limit and the modification allowed them to change to CBOD and DMRs had been submitted with CBOD reported.
When you try to delete the modification, there will be orphaned DMR data because CBOD is not required in the base limit. You would have to delete the DMR data for CBOD before deleting the segment. In addition, you would not be able to delete the limit segment if there are enforcement action limits for this parameter, or if there are gaps created between the limit start and end dates of a group of limits.

76. Deleting a Parameter is prevented if
Deleting an entire Parameter deletes all its segments and any received DMR data
Deleting a Parameter is prevented if
The Limit Parameter contains any EA Limits
Deleting an entire parameter will delete all of its segments and any received DMR data. Deleting a parameter will be prevented if the limit parameter contains enforcement action limits.

77. ICIS Customer Support at (202) 564-7756 or icis@epa.gov
If further assistance is required please contact Your Assigned System Administrator or
ICIS Customer Support at (202) or
THANK YOU!
This concludes the limits module. There is one more step that we need to check to ensure the entire permit is coded from start to finish. Is there a schedule in the permit that needs to be coded? Proceed to the Narrative Conditions Limits module to complete all aspects of the permit. If you need further assistance please contact your System Administrator or the ICIS helpline at (202) or at

78. General Foods Limits
Verify your limits for 001 A.

79. General Foods Limits
This is a continuation of the limits for 001 A.

80. General Foods Limits
Verify the limits for the quarterly requirements on Limit Set 001 Q.

81. General Foods Limits
And lastly, verify the limits for the INFL limit set. Make any edits, additions or deletions required to ensure your limits are 100% accurate. Congratuations.