NPDES Application Processing Information
General Information on Processing ApplicationsI. General Information on Applications
NPDES permit applications (except stormwater notices of intent for coverage under a general permit) are processed administratively by the NPDES Permit Administration Section. Upon receipt of an application, this Section:
- reviews the NPDES application package for completeness;
- sends a copy of the application to EPA, as appropriate;
- screen application for possible general permit coverage;
- acknowledges receipt of application; and
- routes the application to the appropriate permitting Division for permit drafting or confirmation of general permit coverage.
Therefore, all NPDES applications (except the storm water NOIs) must be sent to the NPDES Permit Administration Section. For more information on applications, please visit our NPDES WEB pages on When, How, and Where to Apply and Applications and Forms.
II. New Discharge Applications (initial applications)
Initial Review for General Permit Coverage Determination. Upon receipt of an NPDES application for a new discharge, the NPDES Administration Section reviews the application with the appropriate Section Manager or permit writer to determine whether or not the discharge can be covered under a General Permit. Non stormwater general permits presently issued by the Department are as follows:
- Aquacultural Facilities
- Bulk Oil and Gas Terminals
- Hydrostatic Test Waters for Oil and Gas Lines
- Mineral Mine Dewatering
- Petroleum Contaminated Ground Water Discharges
- Potable Water Treatment Facilities (three permits)
- Utility Water (once through, non-contact cooling water with a max. discharge of 0.250 mgd, recirculated non-contact cooling water with a max. discharge of 0.100 mgd, boiler blowdown with a max. discharge of 0.01 mgd, and steam condensate with a max. discharge of 0.010 mgd)
- Vehicle Wash Waters
If the proposed discharge can be covered by one of these General Permits, a letter granting general permit coverage is sent to the permittee. The total time from the receipt of an application to the granting of general permit coverage should not normally exceed one week. Therefore, receipt of applications for discharges that will be granted general permit coverage are not acknowledged.
For more information on the NPDES General Permit Program, please visit our Web page on the NPDES General Permit Program.
Individual NPDES Permit Required. If the initial determination on general permit coverage indicates that an individual permit is required, NPDES Administration sends the application package to the appropriate Section Manager. The application is then assigned to staff for permit drafting and a decision on issuance as an individual permit. For more information on drafting an NPDES permit, please visit our NPDES WEB page on Drafting Permits.
III. Renewal Applications
Initial Review for General Permit Coverage Determination. The NPDES Administration Section reviews the renewal application with the appropriate Section Manager or permit writer to determine whether or not the existing discharge can be covered under a general permit. General permits presently issued by the Department are listed above in Item II.
If the existing discharge can be covered by one of the general permits, a letter is sent to the permittee granting general permit coverage in lieu of reissuing the individual permit. This coverage letter is normally mailed when the existing individual NPDES is within thirty (30) days of expiration.
For more information on the NPDES General Permit Program, please visit our Web page on the NPDES General Permit Program.
Individual NPDES Permit Still Required. If the initial determination on general permit coverage indicates that individual permit coverage is still required, NPDES Administration sends the application package to the appropriate Section Manager. The application is then assigned to staff for permit reissuance in accordance with the Watershed Permitting Strategy. For more information on drafting an NPDES permit, please visit our NPDES WEB page on Drafting Permits.
Renewal Application Is Not Received on Time. If the renewal application is not received within 180 days of the expiration date of the existing permit and an extension to the application deadline was not granted, the NPDES Permit Administration Section will refer the matter to the Bureau's Enforcement Division for appropriate action. When a timely and complete renewal application is not received, the discharge can not legally continue past the expiration date unless the permit is reissued and in effect by the expiration date of the previous permit.
For More Renewal Information. Please visit our NPDES WEB page on Permit Renewal Information.
Upon receipt of a request for a modification of an NPDES permit, the NPDES Administration Section reviews the request and all information submitted with the appropriate Section Manager or permit writer to ensure the modification request contains all necessary information. If more information is needed, a letter will be sent to the applicant requesting the required information.
When a complete request for modification is received, the modification request package is assigned to the appropriate staff for review and a decision on the modification.
For more information, please visit our NPDES Web page on Permit Modifications.
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us