NPDES Permit Program Basics
Policy and Guidance Documents

• Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) NPDES Spreadsheet

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Spreadsheet can be used to analyze valid acute or chronic WET test data using statistical approaches recommended in Chapter 1, Section 1.3 of EPA’s Technical Support Document and in EPA’s acute and chronic WET test method documents, as well as using EPA’s Test of Significant Toxicity document (PDF) (73 pp, 522K) . The spreadsheet can be used to analyze valid data for the test endpoints indicated for the selected EPA WET test method (e.g., survival, reproduction, biomass, fertilization), and the results are presented in an easy to read format that can be printed or saved as an Excel file on the user’s computer.

The results generated by the NPDES WET Spreadsheet can be used by NPDES permit writers for reasonable potential (RP) determinations in accordance with EPA’s TSD (see pages 53-57, Chapter 5) and for NPDES WET compliance determinations (see TSD pages 112-113, Chapter 6). NPDES permittees and WET testing laboratories may also find the spreadsheet helpful when analyzing valid WET test data.

Disclaimer: Please note that neither the EPA nor any of its employees assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information disclosed. Furthermore, the NPDES WET Spreadsheet is supplied “as-is” without guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, including without limitation, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a specific purpose.


Date Published: 05/24/2012
• Factsheet on the Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Analysis Spreadsheet (PDF) (1 pp, 64K)


• Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Analysis Spreadsheet (EXCEL) (4.9MB)



• Additional Guidance for Petroleum Marketing Terminals and Oil Production Facilities (PDF) (298KB)

Information and guidance for establishing monitoring for petroleum marketing terminals. Explains that oil and grease monitoring for petroleum marketing terminals and oil production facilities cannot use instantaneous maximum limits but must rather use daily maximum limits.
Date Published: 07/18/1974



• Additional Questions on Enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters (PDF) (336KB)

Response to transmitting "Additional Suggested Questions on Enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters." Further clarification on the use of enforcement compliance schedule letters.
Date Published: 04/01/1977



• Administration of FY 1999 Appropriation for Wastewater Treatment Projects for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages (PDF) (179KB)

Advises directors of tribal projects identified to receive funding through the agency's 1999 Appropriations Bill for the Clean Water Act Indian Set-Aside Grant Program.
Date Published: 05/26/1999



• Alternative in Permit Language (PDF) (57KB)

Provides permit language for the definitions of the daily maximum and daily average permit limits.
Date Published: 12/27/1973



• Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum - 1988 (PDF) (2,242KB)

Revised criteria for water quality covering aluminum and the effects of aluminum found in a body of water.
Date Published: 08/01/1988



• Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Lead - 1984 (PDF) (3,746KB)

Revision of proposed water quality criteria and covers lead and the effects of lead found in a body of water.
Date Published: 01/02/1985



• Analytical Methods for Mercury in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits (PDF) (5 pp, 39KB)

This memo describes when a method for mercury is “sufficiently sensitive” for purposes of permit applications and monitoring under a permit. The memo also provides information on EPA’s March 12, 2007, approval of Method 245.7 for measurement of mercury and modified versions of approved analytical methods for mercury as well as the impact of their approval on the NPDES permitting process.
Date Published: 08/23/2007



• Applicability of Categorical Pretreatment Standards to Industrial Users of Non-Discharging POTWs (TXT) (3KB)

Guidance clarifying that industrial users discharging to POTWs that do not discharge are still subject to national categorical pretreatment standards.
Date Published: 06/27/1985



• Applicability of General Permits to New Sources (PDF) (90KB)

Procedures to be followed if a general permit is to cover new sources. General permits can include new sources, but only after NEPA requirements are fulfilled.
Date Published: 12/21/1982



• Applicability of Ore Mining New Source Performance Standards to Proposed Kensington Mining Project (PDF) (3,116KB)

Memorandum to Region 10 Water Division Director to provide guidance on the applicability of the new source performance standardsfor Ore Mining at 40 CFR Part 440 to the proposed Kensington gold mining project.
Date Published: 04/18/1989



• Applicability of Revised NPDES Regulations to Permits Currently Being Processed (PDF) (138KB)

States when new NPDES regulations must be used for permits being developed. The memorandum allows use of existing regulations when the regulations become effective after the public notice of a permit.
Date Published: 01/18/1980



• Applicability of Section 301(h) and (i) Modifications to Federal Facilities (PDF) (239KB)

Legal opinions on the status of federal facilities under the Clean Water Act.
Date Published: 09/12/1978



• Application and Use of the Regulatory Definition of Significant Noncompliance for Industrial Users (PDF) (618KB)

Memorandum to Regional Water Management Division Directors and Approved Pretreatment State Coordinators regarding the application of the significant noncompliance (SNC) definition.
Date Published: 09/09/1991



• Application Requirements for Modification Under Sections 301(c) and 301(g) of the Clean Water Act (PDF) (301KB)

A memo concerning a possible problem in the regualtions for timing of submittal of requests for modifications under Sections 301(c) and 301(g) of the Clean Water Act.
Date Published: 12/29/1982



• Asbestos Limits in NPDES Permits (PDF) (305KB)

Suggested approach for including permit limits for asbestos.
Date Published: 10/15/1976



• Authorization of Partial State Sewage Sludge Programs (PDF) (323KB)

Memorandum stating that states can request authorization for parts of the sludge permit program.
Date Published: 07/28/1994



• Award of Grants for Special Projects Authorized by this Agency's FY 1999 Appropriations Act (PDF) (2,087KB)

Information and guidance on how the Agency will award and administer grants for identified special projects.
Date Published: 01/29/1999



• BCT Cost Test Guidance

The Clean Water Act requires a candidate BCT treatment to be compared to treatment by publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on the basis of coast of effluent reductions for conventional pollutants. This guide includes the EPA's methodology for making the comparison between these POTWs removal costs for conventional pollutants and industrial removal costs.
Date Published: 09/30/1980
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (112KB)


• Guidance (PDF) (2,000KB)



• Binding Effects of 303(e) Basin Plans (PDF) (385KB)

Questions and answers of the applicability of section 303(e) water quality management plans on NPDES permits.
Date Published: 08/24/1976



• Calculation of Production-Based Effluent Limits (PDF) (323KB)

Clarification on the procedure for calculating production-based effluent limitations and to provide guidance on the use of alternate limitations.
Date Published: 12/18/1984



• CERCLA Reporting Requirements for Releases of Ethylene Glycol from Airplane De-icing Operations (PDF) (374KB)

Expresses EPA's position on the applicability of the federally permitted release exemption and the continuous release reporting regulation to releases of ethylene glycol from airplane de-icing operations.
Date Published: 02/04/1992



• Certification and Permitting of Dischargers Located on Water Forming Boundaries between States (PDF) (795KB)

Information on permitting and dischargers on water boundaries between states. Legal memorandum stating that the state in which the discharge is located is the state authorized to make a 401 certification.
Date Published: 04/19/1978



• Clarification of "Instantaneous Maximum" as Applied to Steam Electric Facilities Effluent Limitations (PDF) (95KB)

Memorandum providing interpretation that the steam electric effluent guideline for chlorine is intended to be an instantaneous maximum limit and not a daily maximum limit.
Date Published: 07/27/1992



• Clarification of OGC Opinion No. 40 (State Review Authority) (PDF) (118KB)

Legal memorandum clarifying that states have the same authority as EPA Regions in considering the economic impact of technology based effluent limits, when establishing these limits using best professional judgement.
Date Published: 02/04/1977



• Clarification of Sampling Procedures for the VOA Fraction (PDF) (86KB)

The Permits Division has received several inquiries about sampling procedures when data on volatile organic (VOA) toxic pollutants are required.
Date Published: 07/31/1985



• Clarification of Technology-based Sediment Toxicity and Biodegradation Limitations and Standards for Controlling Synthetic-based Drilling Fluid Discharges (PDF) (271KB)

Guidance to assist NPDES permit writing for offshore oil and gas extraction activities, reviewing requests for variances of effluent limitations guidelines promulgated in 40 CFR 435, and in determining significant digits in the permits.
Date Published: 10/10/2003



• Clarifications Regarding Certain Aspects of EPA's Surface Water Toxics Control Regulations (PDF) (426KB)

Clarifications of EPA regulations relating to s.304(1) and water quality-based effluent limitations.
Date Published: 08/14/1992



• Clarifications Regarding Flexibility in 40 CFR Part 136 Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Test Methods

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clarifications regarding the flexibility in the regulations promulgated at 60 Fed. Reg. 53529 (Oct. 16, 1995), which establish analytical test methods for the determination of whole effluent toxicity (WET). Click on the following link to view this document: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/WET/wetinfo.html
Date Published: 04/10/1996
(This file is not currently available for download)


• Clarifications Regarding Toxicity Reduction and Identification Evaluations in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program

EPA document developed by the Office of Wastewater Management/Water Permits Division to provide additional clarification on conducting toxicity reduction evaluations and toxicity identification evaluations with respect to whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing. The document clarifies for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit writers and permittees a number of common issues such as: when and under what circumstances a permittee should conduct a TRE and/or a TIE; technical limitations on the TIE process; consideration of persistence and magnitude of toxicity events; ionic imbalances of effluents; the applicability of compliance schedules; and inconclusive TREs/TIEs. The document supplements existing EPA guidance and policies on WET and TREs/TIEs but does not change current policy or legal authority.
Date Published: 03/27/2001
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (223KB)


• Clarification Document (PDF) (86KB)



• Clarifications Regarding Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Methods Recently Published at 40 CFR Part 136 and Guidance on Implementation of Whole Effluent Toxicity in Permits (PDF) (738KB)

Memorandum which supplements the memorandum of April 10, 1996 on "Clarifications Regarding Flexibility in 40 CFR Part 136 WET Test Methods" as well as EPA guidance provided in the Technical Support Document for Water Quality-Based Toxics Control, (March 1991, EPA/505/2-90-001) as well as the WET control Policy (July 1994 EPA/833-94-002).
Date Published: 07/21/1997



• Combined Sewer Overflows Guidance For Monitoring and Modeling

Provides guidelines for the use of monitoring and modeling in the development and implementation of a CSO control program. The document provides information on characterizing a combined sewer system, assessing the impact of wet weather on CSO discharges, and assessing the impact of CSOs on receiving water bodies. It focuses on the characterization process described in the CSO Policy and refers to other literature for more in-depth explanations of specific techniques (EPA 832-B-99-002).
Date Published: 01/01/1999
• Cover (PDF) (226KB)


• Memorandum, Table of Contents, Acronyms (PDF) (54KB)


• Chapter 1: Introduction (PDF) (40KB)


• Chapter 2: Introduction to Monitoring and Modeling (PDF) (70KB)


• Chapter 3: Initial System Characterization (PDF) (132KB)


• Chapter 4: Monitoring and Modeling Plan (PDF) (326KB)


• Chapter 5: CSS Monitoring (PDF) (667KB)


• Chapter 6: Receiving Water Monitoring (PDF) (68KB)


• Chapter 7: CSS Modeling (PDF) (728KB)


• Chapter 8: Receiving Water Modeling (PDF) (164KB)


• Chapter 9: Assessing Receiving Water Impacts and Attainment of WQS (PDF) (1,311KB)


• References (PDF) (58KB)


• Appendices (PDF) (136KB)


• Entire Document (PDF) (3,960KB)



• Confidentiality of NPDES Permit Application

Legal decision that NPDES permits and permit applications are public documents and not subject to confidential business information requirements.
Date Published: 04/06/1978
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (40KB)


• Decision (PDF) (348KB)



• Consolidated Permit Regulations (PDF) (338KB)

Suspension of a portion of the definition of the term "waters of the United States" in the Consolidated Permit Regulations pending further rulemaking. 40 CFR Part 122
Date Published: 07/16/1980



• Continuance of NPDES General Permits Under the APA, 1984 (Administrative Procedure Act) (PDF) (240KB)

General permits can be administratively extended under the Administrative Procedures Act, but expressing that this is not EPA's preferred mode of action.
Date Published: 01/16/1984



• Coordination Between NPDES Program and Water Quality Management Planning Program (PDF) (198KB)

Policy describing the coordination between the water quality management and NPDES permits programs.
Date Published: 07/07/1976



• Coordination Between the NPDES permit program and Water Quality Planning and Management Under Section 208 and 303 (PDF) (128KB)

Information on the relationship between the NPDES Permit program and the Water Quality Management Plan.
Date Published: 04/02/1976



• Criteria for Reviewing Leather Tanning Sulfide Waiver Applications (PDF) (281KB)

Memorandum transmitting criteria for reviewing sulfide waiver applicants from leather tanners, consistent with the national pretreatment categorical standards.
Date Published: 01/13/1983



• CWA Regulation of Mine Tailings Disposal (PDF) (619KB)

Memorandum from AA for Water (Lajuana Wilcher) to Region 10 discussing the roles of 404 and 402 in regulating the disposal/treatment of mine tailings (specific to A-J and Kensington Mines) in waste treatment systems created in waters of the US; discusses jurisdictional waters conversion (?conversion theory?) to waste treatment systems.
Date Published: 10/02/1992



• Declaration of Gary W. Hudiburgh, Jr. In the Matter of Star-Kist Caribe, Inc. Petitioner NPDES Permit No. PR 0022012 (PDF) (407KB)

Information obtained for the Status Report requested by Judge McCallum, and the process used to obtain such information.
Date Published: 04/03/1992



• Delegation (to the regions) of Updates to Major/Minor Lists (PDF) (94KB)

Memorandum which establishes the delegation of determinations of major/minor status for both municipal and non-municipal NPDES dischargers to the Regions
Date Published: 02/06/1995



• Detection Limits for Total Residual Chlorine

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Letter discussing EPA's determination that chlorine may be reliably measured below 0.1 mg/l in municipal effluents; whether pretreatment program regulations require municipalities to investigate sources of test interference and eliminate matrix interferen
Date Published: 03/21/1994

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Determining Compliance Dates for Individual Control Strategies Issued Pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 304(l) (PDF) (289KB)

Provides guidance on when compliance with Individual Control Strategies is required.
Date Published: 03/28/1991



• Determining Whether Revisions to State NPDES Programs Made To Authorize The Issuance Of General Permits Are Substantial (PDF) (127KB)

Revisions to state NPDES programs.
Date Published: 02/21/1981



• Development of Sediment Criteria (PDF) (153KB)

EPA's authority to develop sediment criteria.
Date Published: 10/25/1984



• Development of State NPDES General Permit Programs (PDF) (118KB)

Key information for state NPDES programs.
Date Published: 06/13/1989



• Downloadable Treatability Database (ZIP) (1,004KB)

Helps permit writers develop best professional judgement (BPJ) limitations, as referenced in the Permit Writers' Training Course.
Date Published: Unknown



• Draft Guidance for Application and Review of Section 301(c) Variance Requests (PDF) (1,942KB)

Guidance document to assist applicants in completing requests for 301(c) variances and assists EPA Regions and states in reviewing the requests.
Date Published: 08/21/1984



• Draft Interim Guidance on Implementation of Section 402(o) Antibacksliding Rules for Water Quality-Based Permits (PDF) (1,000KB)

Interim guidance on interpreting Clean Water Act section 402(o) for water quality based effluent limits, and clarifying that the January 4, 1989, regulation interprets the Act for technology based effluent limits.
Date Published: 09/29/1989



• Draft National Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Implementation Guidance Under the NPDES Program

This draft has been released for public review and comments. This draft document gathers together previous EPA guidance, policy, and other information and organizes it in one comprehensive document. The document also addresses a number of important issues that have been raised by states, regulated industry, and interested stakeholders on the implementation of whole effluent toxicity (WET) limits in NPDES permits. Interested parties may submit comments on the draft guidance until March 31, 2005. (The February 28, 2005 public comment period has been extended to March 31, 2005.)
Date Published: 12/28/2004
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (4 pp, 140 KB)


• Draft Guidance (PDF) (109 pp, 1,123KB)



• Draft Notification Letter to Petroleum Refineries (TXT) (3KB)

Draft letter that EPA may notify selected refineries and request that the refineries provide certain existing and new information on their facilities and the occurrence of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDDs and CDFs).
Date Published: Unknown



• Effect of State Audit Immunity/Privilege Laws on Enforcement Authority for Federal Programs (PDF) (234KB)

Memorandum regarding the question of when enforcement and information gathering authority may be considered adequate for the purpose of approving or delegating programs in states with audit privilege or immunity laws.
Date Published: 02/14/1997



• Effluent Trading in Watersheds (WORDPERFECT) (26KB)

Policy statement communicating EPA policy on effluent trading.
Date Published: 01/01/1996



• Eligibility for Variances under Section 301(i)(1) of the CWA (PDF) (713KB)

Legal opinion on issues related to the eligibility of publicly owned treatment works for compliance extensions under Section 301(i)(1) of the Clean Water Act.
Date Published: 04/11/1984



• Enforcement Actions Against a Municipal Discharger who Fails to Meet the July 1, 1977 Statutory Deadline for Achieving Secondary Treatment (PDF) (431KB)

Describes how EPA will enforce the July 1, 1977 deadline for compliance with secondary treatment.
Date Published: 06/03/1976



• Enforcement Actions Where an Industrial Discharger fails to meet the July 1, 1977, Statutory Deadline for Achieving Best Practicable Control Technology or Other Applicable Effluent Limitations (PDF) (356KB)

Describes how EPA will enforce the July 1, 1977 deadline for compliance with best practicable control technology and other statutory requirements.
Date Published: 06/03/1976



• Enforcement Against Industrial Dischargers Scheduled to Discharge to Presently Unavailable Publicly Owned Treatment Works (PDF) (127KB)

Date Published: 06/03/1977



• Enforcement of 1977 Deadline Violations Against Major Industrial Dischargers (PDF) (128KB)

July 1, 1997 is the date which compliance must be achieved with the requirements of State water quality standards and the requirements of best practicable control technology currently available (BPT) for industrial dischargers.
Date Published: 04/27/1977



• Enforcement Policy and the Use of Enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters (ECSLs) for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) (PDF) (179KB)

Information on the EPA municipal dischargers. Clarifies that enforcement compliance schedule letters are only applicable to certain POTWs.
Date Published: 06/22/1977



• EPA Guidance on Application of State Mixing Zone Policies in EPA-Issued NPDES Permits (WORD) (33KB)

The purpose of this memorandum is to transmit the Office of Water's Guidance on Application of State Mixing Zone Policies in EPA-Issued NPDES Permits.
Date Published: 08/06/1996



• EPA Procedures for Review and Approval of State Pretreatment Program Submissions (PDF) (470KB)

Memo regarding EPA approval of state pretreatment program plans.
Date Published: 04/30/1979
• [Click here to view in WORDPERFECT format ]




• EPA Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Control Policy (PDF) (1,000KB)

Policy for the development of effluent limitations in NPDES permits to control whole effluent toxicity for the protection of aquatic life (EPA 833-B-94-002)
Date Published: 07/01/1994



• EPA's Authority to Issue NPDES General Permits in Approved NPDES States (PDF) (80KB)

Memorandum explaining that EPA has no authority to issue general permits in authorized states, where the state has yet to receive authority to issue general permits. The memorandum also explains that EPA has authority over federal facilities even if a state has been approved to administer the NPDES program.
Date Published: 07/11/1983



• Establishment of RCRA "Program Implementation Guidance System (PIGS)" (PDF) (795KB)

Establishment of a system to provide directives regarding program implementation.
Date Published: 10/03/1980



• Ex Parte Contacts in Adjudicatory Hearings

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Limits contact among EPA employees involved in preparing and issuing NPDES decisions, and persons outside EPA.
Date Published: 06/16/1978

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Ex Parte Contacts in EPA Rulemaking (PDF) (117KB)

Memorandum which sets forth the guidelines that all EPA employees should follow in discussing the merits of proposed rules with interested persons outside the Agency during the period between proposal and promulgation.
Date Published: 08/04/1978



• Example Language for Modifying NPDES Permits for Pretreatment Approval (PDF) (1,420KB)

Guidance to permit authorities on what language to include in NPDES permits to require a POTW to administer a pretreatment program.
Date Published: 09/22/1983
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 42KB ]




• Explanation of Procedural/Funding Requirements for State Pretreatment Programs: Document C (PDF) (780KB)

POTW pretreatment programs.
Date Published: 11/29/1978



• Fecal Coliform Bacteria Limits (PDF) (201KB)

This guidance is intended to simplify the procedure for assigning effluent limitations for indicator organisms so that a transition from effluent based to water quality based requirements will be both efficient and effective.
Date Published: 02/14/1977
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 6KB ]




• Federal Register (FR) Publication Requirements for Draft and Final General NPDES Permits (PDF) (234KB)

Format requirements for NPDES permits.
Date Published: 01/16/1984



• Federal Register Publication Costs of EPA-Issued General NPDES Permits (PDF) (153KB)

Minimum statutory and regulatory public notice requirements for issuing draft and final general permits.
Date Published: 04/04/1983



• Final Guidance Implementation of Requirements Under Section 304(l) of the Clean Water Act as Amended (PDF) (75KB)

Table of Contents only.
Date Published: 03/01/1988



• Final Policy on Biological Assessments and Criteria (PDF) (1,151KB)

Policy attempts to address all pollution problems within a watershed.
Date Published: 08/13/1991



• Final Procedures for the Review of Draft and Final General NPDES Permits (PDF) (196KB)

Final review procedures for draft and final general NPDES permits.
Date Published: 09/27/1983



• Final Section 304(l) Implementation Guidance

Guidance to EPA Regions and states on how to identify waters subject to listing under Clean Water Act section 304(l) and development of Individual Control Strategies for point sources discharging into these waters.
Date Published: 03/17/1988
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (100KB)


• Guidance (PDF) (5,000KB)



• Final Watershed Protection Framework Document (PDF) (1,000KB)

Memorandum explaining the Office of Water approach for implementing a watershed approach.
Date Published: 10/28/1991



• Follow-up to PCS Data Clean-up Proposal (PDF) (192KB)

Memorandum update to the September 7, 2000 memorandum. This memo discusses the new options that allow states to QA/QC the data and allow EPA to determine whether data for key fields are missing in PCS.
Date Published: 01/25/2001



• Fundamentally Different Factors Variances for Iron and Steel Facilities (PDF) (127KB)

Procedures for wholly disproportionate costs for fundamentally different factors variance requests by iron and steel facilities.
Date Published: 01/07/1983



• General Permit Program Guidance

Centralized source of information about the general permit process.
Date Published: 03/01/1988
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (136KB)


• Guidance (PDF) (4,147KB)



• Generalized Methodology for Conducting Industrial Toxicity Reduction Evaluations (TREs) (PDF) (107 pp, 1,458KB)

Guidance for the performance of Toxicity Reduction Evaluations (TREs) at industrial facilities. This document presents a generalized methodology for designing and conducting a TRE and 10 supporting case studies which illustrate various approaches that have been used in the performance of TREs to date (EPA-600-2-88-070).
Date Published: 04/01/1989



• Guidance and Standards for Calculating Point Source Pollutant Loads Using the Permit Compliance System (PCS) Point Source Load Reductions as an Indicator of Water Quality Improvements (PDF) (1,178KB)

PCS is the primary repository of data used to determine reductions in pollutant loads to the waters of the United States. This effort falls under the umbrella of EPA's National Goals Project, which has developed a series of milestones for measuring improvements to the waters ofthe United States over the next 10 years. Measuring point source load reductions using PCS is one way to monitor improvements. The purpose of this guidance is to establish guidelines for consistent coding of NPDES permits in a manner that facilitates load reduction estimation through the use of PCS.
Date Published: 08/01/1997



• Guidance for NPDES Permits Issued to Steam Electric Power Plants (PDF) (621KB)

Guidance to permit writers on establishing concentration or mass-based limits for steam electric power plants.
Date Published: 08/22/1985



• Guidance Manual for Developing Best Management Practices (BMP) (PDF) (16,148KB)

Guidance for NPDES permittees in the development of BMPs for their facilities to prevent release of toxic and hazardous chemicals (EPA 833-B-93-004).
Date Published: 10/01/1993



• Guidance Manual for Reporting and Evaluating POTW Noncompliance

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Guidance to EPA regions and states on criteria for evaluating the principal POTW activities that are essential to fully implement most local pretreatment programs.
Date Published: 04/16/1987

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Guidance on Advance Concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for Water on Selected Section 301(g) and Fundamentally Different Factors Variance Decisions under the Clean Water Act (PDF) (1,157KB)

Guidance to EPA regions on how to determine in advance if concurrence is necessary for making decisions on variances from effluent guidelines.
Date Published: 04/15/1986
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 15KB ]




• Guidance on EPA's NPDES and Sludge Management Permit Procedures on Federal Indian Reservations (PDF) (456KB)

Provides guidance on EPA's obligations to issue NPDES and sludge permits to facilities located on Indian reservations.
Date Published: 11/16/1993



• Guidance on Setting BCT Permit Limits for Breweries under Section 402(a) of CWA

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Guidance to permit authorities for establishing BCT permit limits for breweries using best professional judgement.
Date Published: 10/18/1979

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Guidance on Use of Seasonal Limits in NPDES Permits (PDF) (454KB)

Letter outlining EPA's guidance of the appropriate use of NPDES effluent limits that vary with the seasons.
Date Published: 09/20/1996



• Guidance to States on Assessing Existing Abilities to Implement a State Pretreatment Program and Preparing October 10, 1978, Submission to EPA (PDF) (2,963KB)

Guidance to states for developing evaluation of their abilities to implement a state pretreatment program.
Date Published: 09/08/1978



• Impact of Phase I Basin Plans on NPDES Permits (PDF) (79KB)

Information from the Office of General Counsel addressing the impact of Phase I Basin Plans on NPDES permits.
Date Published: 09/01/1976



• Implementation of Promulgated Section 307(a) Toxic Standards (PDF) (155KB)

Clarifies implementation of newly promulgated toxics standards for aldrin, dieldrin, benzidine, DDT, endrin, toxaphene, and PCBs.
Date Published: 06/01/1977



• Implementation of Section 403 of the FWPCA (PDF) (61KB)

Information from the National Wildlife Federation on Section 403 of the FWPCA. Clarifies that ocean discharge regulations at 40 CFR 227 no longer apply to discharges to oceans, and that the criteria in CWA section 403(c) must instead be used.
Date Published: 07/20/1977



• Implementation of Section 406 of the Water Quality Act of 1987: Sewage Sludge Permitting and State Programs (PDF) (263KB)

Clarifies the 1987 amendments to the CWA and the impact to sewage sludge regulation and permitting.
Date Published: 05/21/1987
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 8KB ]




• Implementation of the National Municipal Policy

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Expresses EPA's commitment to implementing the National Municipal Policy, which includes schedules of compliance for secondary treatment at POTWs not to exceed July 1, 1988.
Date Published: 07/24/1985

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Improving Data in the Permit Compliance System (PCS) (PDF) (4,933KB)

Memorandum that discusses priorities and goals for improving PCS data quality. The three goals are: (1) improving design flow data for loadings analysis; (2) improve data quality in order to reduce permit backlog rates; and (3) improve facility location address data.
Date Published: 02/22/1999



• Incorporation of Pretreatment Program Development Compliance Schedules Into POTW NPDES Permits (PDF) (333KB)

Re-emphasizes the importance of incorporating pretreatment compliance schedules into appropriate permits at the earliest possible time.
Date Published: 01/28/1980



• Industrial Permit Quality Review Procedures Guide, Draft (PDF) (7,502KB)

Handbook on how to conduct industrial Permit Quality Reviews (PQRs), which were developed in 1983 by the EPA Office of Water Enforcement and Permits. PQR was designed to provide national information on permit contents and program operations. This information is necessary for responses to Congress, developing budget and resource requests, and to identify areas for guidance or training activities.
Date Published: 09/01/1987



• Innovative Technology Extensions Under Section 301(k) of Clean Water Act; Effect of Sections 301(j) and (l) (PDF) (245KB)

Extensions under section 301(k) of the Clean Water Act. Clarifies the granting of innovative technology extensions for toxic pollutants.
Date Published: 09/06/1978



• Interagency 316(a) Technical Guidance Manual and Guide for Thermal Effects Section of Nuclear Facilities Environmental Impact Statements (PDF) (5,000KB)

This manual describes the information which should be developed and evaluated in connection with making technical determinations under Section 316(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended. FWPCA requires EPA to establish effluent limitations for use in permits for the discharge of pollutants to U.S. waters from point sources such as nuclear power plants.
Date Published: 05/01/1977



• Interim Authorization of Programs Based on emergency State Regulations

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Memorandum pertaining to RCRA program expressing limited conditions under which a state could receive interim authorization to issue permits. Although this was issued for the RCRA program, the concept could apply to NPDES.
Date Published: 10/03/1980

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Interim Guidance for Performance-Based Reductions of NPDES Permit Monitoring Frequencies (PDF) (87KB)

Interim guidance to reduce unnecessary pollutant-specific monitoring and reporting in reissued NPDES permits with an excellent compliance and enforcement history. Does not advocate reductions for parameters monitored only once per quarter or for limits below analytical level of quantification (EPA 833-B-96-001).
Date Published: 04/01/1996
• [Click here to view in WORDPERFECT format - 135KB ]




• Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water-Effect Ratios for Metals (PDF) (586KB)

Guidance to support implementation of Federal standards for those states included in the National Toxics Rule (EPA-823-B-94-001).
Date Published: 02/22/1994



• Interim Guidance on Implementation of Section 402(o) Anti-backsliding Rules for Water Quality-Based Permits (PDF) (1,331KB)

Section 402(o) of CWA establishes anti-backsliding rules governing two situations.
Date Published: Unknown



• Interim Strategy for the Regulation of Pulp and Paper Mill Dioxin Discharges to the Waters of the United States (PDF) (511KB)

Interim strategy for the regulation of pulp and paper mill dioxin discharges.
Date Published: 08/09/1988



• Intermittent Streams (PDF) (106KB)

Information concerning issuance of permits and establishment of water quality standards for intermittent streams.
Date Published: 09/28/1973



• Interpretation of Industrial Wastewater Discharge Exclusion from the Definition of Solid Waste (PDF) (272KB)

Clarifies that RCRA requirements apply to discharges of leachate into ground water from leaking waste management units, even when the ground water provides a direct hydrologic connection to surface waters of the US.
Date Published: 02/17/1994



• Judicial Officer's Decision on Part 124 Proceedings (PDF) (654KB)

Guidance that when both legal and factual issues arise in an evidentiary hearing, and the EPA region grants the hearing on the factual issues, that the legal issues must also be heard by the administrative law judge.
Date Published: 04/12/1985



• Letter to Mr. John C. Hall and Associates (PDF) (1,545KB)

Letter to Mr. John C. Hall of Hall & Associates from EPA's James Pendergast regarding total residual chlorine detection limits.
Date Published: 08/11/1998



• Letter to Mr. Robert Bedell (PDF) (280KB)

Letter to Mr. Robert Bedell, Deputy Administrator, Office of Management and Budget, from Bruce R. Barrett, EPA regarding exemption from review requirements of EO 12291 for NPDES General Permits.
Date Published: 08/08/1983



• Letter to Water Works Operators Association

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Letter explaining that NPDES has jurisdiction over discharges from water treatment plants, and explaining that BCT and BPT are the appropriate technological standards for these discharges.
Date Published: 03/16/1984

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Major Municipal Permitting in FY 81 (PDF) (186KB)

Memorandum requesting priority on issuing permits to municipalities rather than industries for fiscal year 1981.
Date Published: 07/10/1980



• Maximum Daily Discharge Limitations vs. Instantaneous Maximum Limitation (PDF) (75KB)

Letter recognizing the distinction between maximum daily discharge limitations and instantaneous maximum limitations.
Date Published: 10/23/1998



• Memo: Reducing the NPDES Permit Backlog (PDF) (4 pp, 158KB)

Memo from J. Charles Fox to regional administrators about reducing the backlog of NPDES permits.
Date Published: 05/04/1999



• Memorandum from G. Tracy Mehan: Implementing the Permitting for Environmental Results Strategy (PDF) (536KB)

Memo discusses the program integrity component of the Strategy.
Date Published: 10/09/2003



• Memorandum from James A. Hanlon: Implementing the Partial Remand of the Stormwater Phase II Regulations Regarding Notices of Intent & NPDES General Permitting for Phase II MS4s (PDF) (75KB)

This memo provides interim guidance on implementing the Stormwater Phase II program for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in light of the recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Environmental Defense Center, et. al. v. EPA, September 15, 2003). The guidance covers several issues related to the implementation of the MS4 program, including public availability of NOIs, opportunities for public hearings, and review of NOIs by permitting authorities.
Date Published: 04/16/2004



• Memorandum from James A. Hanlon: Permit Issuance and Priority Permits (PDF) (57KB)

Memo discusses procedures for identifying environmentally significant priority permits and asks regions and states to incorporate these procedures in their annual planning processes.
Date Published: 03/05/2004



• Memorandum from Mary A Gade, EPA Region 5 Administrator Regarding Surface Discharging Private Sewage Disposal Systems and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (PDF) (559KB)

Response to a letter requesting EPA's opinion as to whether definitions set forth in an Illinois State Bill were consistent with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. The memo provides comments on the proposed legislation in three areas: (1) with regard to whether it might impact the state's NPDES jurisdiction, (2) the ambiguity of Section 4(d) of the legislation, and (3) the requirements of filing a Notice of Intent with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Date Published: 10/04/2006



• Memorandum: Annual Permit Limits for Nitrogen and Phosphorus for Permits Designed to Protect Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from Excess Nutrient Loading under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. (PDF) (852KB)

For the protection of Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from excess nutrient loading, this memorandum states that NPDES permit effluent limits for nitrogen and phosphorus should be expressed as an annual limit in lieu of daily maximum, weekly average, or monthly average effluent limitations. This memo describes the scientific and policy rationales that support why permit limits expressed as an annual limit are appropriate.
Date Published: 03/03/2004



• Memorandum: Certification of "Accuracy" of Information Submissions of Test Results Measuring Whole Effluent Toxicity (PDF) (2 pp, 113KB)

Clarifies that the Agency intends that a certification of "accuracy" occurs in information submissions of testing data for whole effluent toxicity, but as the layperson uses the term, not "accurate" as the term is used to describe the quantifiable performance of a measurement system.
Date Published: 03/03/2000



• Memorandum: Compliance Schedules for Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations in NPDES Permits (PDF) (3 pp, 56KB)

Memo from Jim Hanlon, discussing compliance schedules for water quality-based effluent limitations in NPDES permits.
Date Published: 05/10/2007



• Memorandum: Information on the Misuse of Sodium Dimethyldithiocarbamate (PDF) (38KB)

Memo from Michael B. Cook, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management, alerting users of potential problems that could arise from the misuse of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate and associated compounds.
Date Published: 06/02/2002



• Memorandum: Watershed-Based NPDES Permitting Policy Statement (PDF) (27KB)

Describes the benefits of watershed-based permitting, the implementing mechanisms for this component of the watershed approach, and how EPA will be encouraging use of watershed-based NPDES permits.
Date Published: 01/07/2003



• Metals Translator: Guidance for Calculating a Total Recoverable Permit Limit from a Dissolved Criterion (PDF) (204KB)

A tool for environmental scientists and permit writers to use in calculating the amount of a metal that may be discharged from a facility to a surface water body based on how the metal is distributed or partitioned between water and sediments in the receiving stream (EPA 823-B-96-007).
Date Published: 06/01/1996



• Method Guidance and Recommendations for Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing (PDF) (294KB)

This document provides guidance and recommendations on the conduct of the approved WET test methods and interpretation of WET test results reported under the NPDES program. This guidance partially fulfills the obligations of a legal settlement agreement that resolves a judicial challenge to the WET final rule. The document provides guidance on the following issues: nominal error rate adjustments, confidence intervals, concentration-response relationships, dilution series, and dilution waters.
Date Published: 07/01/2000



• Methods for Aquatic Toxicity Identification Evaluations: Phase I Toxicity Characterization Procedures Second Edition (PDF) (2,060KB)

Aid in conducting aquatic organism Toxicity Identification Evaluations. Part one of a three part set (EPA-600-R-91-003).
Date Published: 02/01/1991



• Methods for Aquatic Toxicity Identification Evaluations: Phase II Toxicity Identification Procedures for Samples Exhibiting Acute and Chronic Toxicity (PDF) (974KB)

Technical guidance on how to identify the cause of whole effluent toxicity. Part two of a three part set (EPA-600-R-92-080).
Date Published: 09/01/1993



• Methods for Aquatic Toxicity Identification Evaluations: Phase III Toxicity Confirmation Procedures for Samples Exhibiting Acute and Chronic Toxicity (PDF) (393KB)

Technical guidance on how to identify the cause of whole effluent toxicity. Part three of a three part set (EPA-600-R-92-081).
Date Published: 09/01/1993



• Municipal Wastewater Treatment Ponds (PDF) (240KB)

Guidance on permitting and enforcement activities related to implementing the new regulation allows municipal wastewater treatment ponds to satisfy secondary treatment requirements.
Date Published: 08/12/1976



• National Minor Permit Issuance Strategy (PDF) (771KB)

Strategy aimed at reducing the minor permit backlog.
Date Published: 02/20/1986



• National Municipal Policy & Strategy For Construction Grants, NPDES Permits, and Enforcement Under the Clean Water Act (PDF) (2,000KB)

Policy for assuring POTWs implement secondary treatment as quickly as possible.
Date Published: 10/01/1979



• National Policy Regarding Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Enforcement (PDF) (237KB)

Memorandum clarifying national enforcement policy related to single exceedances of whole effluent toxicity limits and response when toxicity reduction evaluations are inconclusive.
Date Published: 08/14/1995



• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting of Wastewater Discharges from Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) and Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Impoundments at Steam Electric Power Plants (PDF) (2 pp, 515KB)

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide users with interim guidance to assist National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authorities to establish appropriate permit requirements for wastewater discharges from Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems and coal combustion residual (CCR) impoundments at Steam Electric Power Plants.
Date Published: 06/07/2010


• Attachment A - Technology-based Effluent Limits Flue Gas Desulfurization (PDF) (7 pp, 104KB)


• Attachment B - Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits Coal Combustion Waste Impoundments (PDF) (17 pp, 1.8MB)



• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Test of Significant Toxicity Implementation Document

The transmittal memo and implementation document provides the basis for implementing the Test of Significant Toxicity (TST) approach under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for permitting authorities (states and Regions) and persons interested in analyzing whole effluent toxicity (WET) test data using the traditional hypothesis testing approach as part of the NPDES Program under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Date Published: 06/01/2010
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (479KB)


• Implementation Document (PDF) (73 pp, 522KB)



• New NPDES Non-Municipal Permit Rating System (PDF) (3,000KB)

Memorandum which discusses the implementaion of the new system for rating dischargers as major/minor for purposes of aiding the administration of the NPDES program.
Date Published: 06/27/1990



• New Policies for Establishing and Implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) (PDF) (661KB)

Memorandum expressing EPA's policies for developing and implementing TMDLs.
Date Published: 08/08/1997



• New Regulations Governing the Discharge of Toxic and Hazardous Pollutants to POTWs (PDF) (597KB)

Permitting and compliance monitoring & enforcement implementation activities.
Date Published: 12/17/1990



• Ninth Circuit Court Decision Regarding 304(1) Implementation (PDF) (1,539KB)

Interpretation of court decision regarding 304(1) implementation.
Date Published: 10/25/1990



• NPDES and Sewage Sludge Program Authority: A Handbook for Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (PDF) (7,780KB)

General information on the NPDES wastewater and sewage sludge programs for federally recognized tribes (EPA-833-B-94-004).
Date Published: 07/01/1994



• NPDES Evidentiary Hearing Management Program (PDF) (491KB)

Procedures for evidentiary management program.
Date Published: 10/03/1980



• NPDES Permit Authorization to Discharge (PDF) (145KB)

Information on the request of whether an NPDES Permit constitutes an authorization to discharge only specific parameters limited or monitored in the permit of a general authorization.
Date Published: 04/28/1976



• NPDES Permit Form (PDF) (711KB)

Memorandum outlines prescribed form for NPDES permits. Information on content and layout of forms to be utilized for all industrial and most other non-municipal dischargers.
Date Published: 09/18/1973



• NPDES Permit Issuance Flexibility Policy in Watershed Permitting (PDF) (223KB)

Memorandum to the Regions recognizing the challenge involved with respect to meeting permit issuance requirements during the transition to the watershed approach. It outlines measures designed to facilitate with the transition.
Date Published: 03/13/1996



• NPDES Permit Issuance For Iron and Steel Facilities (PDF) (62KB)

Memorandum directing EPA regions to not issue permits to iron and steel facilities until the effluent guideline is promulgated, and suggestion to States to do the same. [Note: This memorandum became obsolete upon the May 27, 1982, promulgation of the effluent guideline.]
Date Published: 09/15/1980



• NPDES Permit Issuance for Pulp and Paper Facilities with BCT Limitations to Other Facilities (PDF) (183KB)

Memorandum discussing the position EPA has taken on the regulation of the Pulp and Paper Industrial Point Source Category, to examine methods for issuance of permits to facilities in that category and the issuance of permits with BCT limitations to secondary categories other than the pulp and paper.
Date Published: 02/15/1981



• NPDES Permit Quality Review (PQR) Assessment Packet

On a rotating basis, the Office of Wastewater Management, Water Permits Division (WPD) at EPA Headquarters, in conjunction with EPA Regional offices, conducts Permit Quality Reviews (PQRs). The PQR provides a process to evaluate state NPDES Program effectiveness, as reflected in the permit and other supporting documents (e.g., fact sheet, calculations). The NPDES Permit Quality Review Assessment Packet provides an overview of the PQR process and the type of information that EPA headquarters assesses during its permit reviews. Included are the "central tenets of the NPDES program," review checklists and questions for the core review and all the topic- specific reviews, and a generic PQR site visit outline. The goal of the checklists is to assess and document whether the permit and administrative record provide a complete, comprehensive and transparent record of permit development. As such, the checklist responses are not intended to judge the "correctness" or "incorrectness" of permit limits and conditions. Rather, the checklists are intended to guide a comprehensive evaluation of the NPDES permit development process by a knowledgeable EPA or State NPDES permit reviewer.
Date Published: 08/12/2009
• Full Document (PDF) (57 pp, 463KB)



• NPDES Permit Writers Guide on Data Quality Objectives (PDF) (3,881KB)

Process that should be followed for establishing Data Quality Objectives.
Date Published: 12/03/1990



• NPDES Permit Writers' Manual

Date Published: 09/01/2010
• NPDES Permit Writers' Manual Front Section (PDF) (14 pp, 773K)


• Chapter 1. Development of the Clean Water Act and the NPDES Program (PDF) (8 pp, 559K)


• Chapter 2. Regulatory Framework and Program Areas of the NPDES Program (PDF) (18 pp, 316K)


• Chapter 3. Overview of the NPDES Permitting Process (PDF) (6 pp, 654K)


• Chapter 4. NPDES Permit Application Process (PDF) (21 pp, 537K)


• Chapter 5. Technology-Based Effluent Limitations (PDF) (49 pp, 568K)


• Chapter 6. Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations (PDF) (42 pp, 805K)


• Chapter 7. Final Effluent Limitations and Anti-backsliding (PDF) (7 pp, 525K)


• Chapter 8. Monitoring and Reporting Conditions (PDF) (15 pp, 335K)


• Chapter 9. Special Conditions (PDF) (24 pp, 366K)


• Chapter 10. Standard Conditions of NPDES Permits (PDF) (4 pp, 242K)


• Chapter 11. NPDES Permit Administration (PDF) (26 pp, 754K)


• Appendix A. Acronyms, Abbreviations and Glossary (PDF) (18 pp, 295K)


• Appendix B. Index to the CWA and NPDES Regulations (PDF) (10 pp, 256K)


• Appendix C. Priority Pollutants (PDF) (2 pp, 190K)


• Appendix D. New Source Dates by Effluent Guideline Category (PDF) (5 pp, 225K)


• Full Document (PDF) (269 pp, 4.66MB)



• NPDES Permits and Requirements of State Law (PDF) (171KB)

NPDES permits to federal facilities must conform with state water quality management plans, but that the permits do not need to be immediately modified to include recent revisions to such plans.
Date Published: 05/04/1977



• NPDES Permits in Wetlands Areas

Information on the guidance concerning the creation of a sanitary landfill in a wetland.
Date Published: 07/11/1977
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (113KB)


• Guidance (PDF) (41KB)



• NPDES Permitting for Environmental Results Strategy (PDF) (2,365KB)

Presents a coordinated and integrated management system that when fully implemented will produce a nation-wide NPDES program that is more efficient and focuses on environmental results. This Strategy is an important element in an overall plan to meet the watershed restoration goals established in EPA's Strategic Plan.
Date Published: 08/15/2003



• NPDES Permitting Process for Oil and Gas Activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (PDF) (1,320KB)

Guidance on the NPDES permitting process and general permitting strategy for offshore oil and gas activities, prepared under the Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and the Minerals Management Service of the Department of the Interior.
Date Published: 06/18/1985



• NPDES Permitting Strategy for OCPSF Industry Direct Dischargers (PDF) (3,000KB)

National strategy calling for expeditious reissuance of NPDES permits for organic chemical facilities, in order that the new effluent guidelines can quickly become implemented.
Date Published: 02/16/1989



• NPDES State Program Guidance

Guidance for development and review of State program applications and evaluation of State legal authorities. Volume One. (40 CFR Parts 122-125 and 403).
Date Published: 07/29/1986
• Table of Contents and Introduction (PDF) (801KB)


• Chapter 1: Synopsis of the Statutory and Regulatory Requirements of the NPDES Program (PDF) (1,210KB)


• Chapter 2: Procedures for State Program Approval, Modification, Review, and Withdrawal (PDF) (2,345KB)


• Chapter 3: Statutory Authority and The Attorney General Statement (PDF) (4,884KB)


• Chapter 4: Regulatory Authorities (PDF) (7,507KB)


• Chapter 5: The Program Description and Memorandum of Agreement (PDF) (4,628KB)


• Chapter 6: EPA's State Program Oversight (PDF) (3,021KB)


• Entire Document (PDF) (24,362KB)



• Office of General Counsel (OGC) Memorandum (PDF) (332KB)

Legal opinion concerning the inclusion of compliance schedules in Second Round and new permits.
Date Published: 01/19/1979



• Office of Water Memorandum of Implementation of Metals Criteria (PDF) (99KB)

Overall description of activities for work on the issue of implementation of metals criteria for the protection of aquatic life.
Date Published: 04/01/1993



• Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria (PDF) (2,924KB)

Policy memorandum on how EPA will interpret its national criteria for metals, and presentation of technical tools states and EPA regions can use in implementing these criteria in NPDES permits and TMDLs.
Date Published: 10/15/1993



• OMB Decision to Not Review All NPDES General Permits

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Letter from OMB agreeing to exempt from OMB review general permits, conditioned upon ability to withdraw exemption for any particular permit.
Date Published: 11/03/1983

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Opinions on Variances in Second Round NPDES Permits and Other Issues (PDF) (1,594KB)

Guidance on granting variances to BAT requirements.
Date Published: 06/13/1978



• Order Denying Modification Request with Respect to the Administrator's 1990 Decision in Star-Kist Caribe, Inc. (NPDES Appeal No. 88-5) (PDF) (1,477KB)

Memorandum to EPA regions explaining the effect of the Administrator's decision regarding compliance schedules in EPA issued permits. (NPDES Appeal No. 88-5)
Date Published: 05/27/1992



• OW's Consultation of NPDES Permits for Solid Waste Discharge (MOA with Army) (PDF) (432KB)

Memorandum to EPA regions requesting EPA Headquarters involvement in discussions related to discharge of NPDES residuals into wetlands
Date Published: 02/01/1987



• OWEC State Sewage Sludge Management Program (PDF) (647KB)

Office of Wastewater Enforcement and Compliance state sewage sludge management program summary and status.
Date Published: 10/25/1993



• PCS Data Clean-up Proposal (PDF) (1,619KB)

Memorandum that discusses the effort by the Office of Water and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to enter missing data and QA/QC the data entered in the Permit Compliance System (PCS).
Date Published: 09/07/2000



• Permit Compliance System (PCS) Policy Statement (PDF) (778K)

Policy requiring EPA regional and state use of PCS for storage of NPDES information.
Date Published: 10/31/1985



• Permitting Guidance for Semiconductor Manufacturing Facilities (PDF) (1,000KB)

Guidance document providing an overview of the semiconductor manufacturing process, a discussion of the overlap between Parts 469 and 433, and examining new and emerging manufacturing technologies and how these processes fit into the regulatory framework of Parts 469 and 433.
Date Published: 04/21/1998



• Phase II Iron Steel Effluent Guidelines Mahoning River Valley (PDF) (807KB)

Information on EPA announcement and decision to exempt steel-making facilities in Mahoning River Valley region of Ohio from nationwide BPT effluent limitations.
Date Published: 10/04/1976



• Plan for Resolution of Fundamentally Different Factors and Section 301(g) Variance Requests (PDF) (306KB)

Memo outlining the plan to resolve FDFs and 301(g) variances
Date Published: 09/25/1987
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 7KB ]




• Policies for Reissuing Industrial NPDES Permits (PDF) (315KB)

Policies and guidance on industrial NPDES permits.
Date Published: 07/12/1978



• Policy on Storage and Releases for Water Quality Control in Reservoirs Planned by Federal Agencies (PDF) (183KB)

Policy statement that storage of water for the regulation of streamflow shall not be considered as a substitute for providing adequate treatment. [Note: Policy later incorporated into regulations at 40 CFR 123.3(f).]
Date Published: 01/16/1973



• Policy Regarding Procedures for FDF BPT Variances

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Outlines interim procedures for processing FDF variances, until such time regulations are promulgated. [Note: Procedures became superseded by promulgation of the regulations on June 7, 1979, and subsequent revisions to EPA's delegation of signature author
Date Published: 08/17/1977

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Policy Regarding the Inclusion in Permits of Effluent Parameters More Stringent Than or Additional to Those Based on Secondary Treatment or Effluent Guidelines (PDF) (391KB)

Information on the secondary treatment standard (municipal dischargers) and effluent guidelines (non-municipal dischargers).
Date Published: 10/13/1977



• Policy Statement on Scope of Discharge Authorization and Shield Associated with NPDES Permits (PDF) (332KB)

EPA's position on the scope of the authorization to discharge under an NPDES permit and the shield thus associated with the permit authorization.
Date Published: 07/01/1994



• PRELIM Version 4.0 User's Guide (PDF) (3,619KB)

User's guide for an EPA computer program that calculates local discharge limitation.
Date Published: 05/01/1991



• Procedures for Issuance of Enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters (PDF) (388KB)

Information on enforcement compliance schedule letters (ECSL).
Date Published: 06/03/1976



• Procedures for Processing Fundamentally Different Factor Variances (PDF) (215KB)

Questions have recently been raised concerning the procedures for processing fundamentally different factors (FDF) variances. The NPDES regulations at 40 CFR 124.62-124.63 contain the procedures for processing variances. A copy of these provisions is attached.
Date Published: 06/01/1983
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 2KB ]




• Procedures For Processing Plans of Approved NPDES States To Implement NPDES General Permit Programs (PDF) (341KB)

Uniform procedures for authorizing approved NPDES states to implement general permit programs.
Date Published: 12/31/1980



• Procedures for Revising the Major Permit List (PDF) (110KB)

Clarification of requirements for municipal and industrial dischargers.
Date Published: 12/28/1988



• Procedures Manual for Reviewing a POTW Pretreatment Program Submission (PDF) (6,000KB)

Guidance to EPA Regions and states on how to review local POTWs pretreatment program submissions.
Date Published: 10/01/1983



• Project Regarding Procedures for Fundamentally Different Factor BPT Variances (PDF) (556KB)

Information regarding the fundamentally different factors (FDR) variance request during the past year.
Date Published: 08/18/1977



• Promulgation of regulations implementing section 301(j), 301(c), and 301(g) waivers.

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Notification that EPA has promulgated regulations implementing section 301(j), 301(c), and 301(g) waivers, and clarification that only EPA can grant these waivers.
Date Published: 09/12/1978

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Proper Application of Chlorine Criteria to Develop National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Limitations for Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). (PDF) (246KB)

Letter explaining the proper application of chlorine criteria to develop National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limitations for publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs).
Date Published: 02/03/1998



• Protocol for Determining Economic Achievability for NPDES Permits (PDF) (27 pp, 190KB)

Contains the protocols and worksheets for determining economic achievability when establishing best available technology economically achievable (BAT) on a case-by-case basis in NPDES Permits. Includes worksheets and important analysis information.
Date Published: 08/12/1982


• Workbook (PDF) (126 pp, 1,284KB)



• Public Notice of Tentative Section 301(g) Decisions and Draft NPDES Permits (PDF) (307KB)

Reminder to states and Regional Offices of the proper procedures for public notice of draft NPDES permits while section 301(g) variance decisions are pending.
Date Published: 08/01/1985



• Questions and Answers on Implementation of Section 304(1) of the Clean Water Act (PDF) (816KB)

Provides answers to miscellaneous questions about implementing section 304(l) of the Clean Water Act.
Date Published: 01/04/1990



• Questions and Answers Regarding OCPSF Effluent Limitations Guidelines (PDF) (922KB)

Memorandum providing frequently asked questions and answers related to the new effluent guideline for organic chemical plants.
Date Published: 10/12/1988
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 26KB ]




• Questions Regarding the Policy and Procedures for Enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters, (PDF) (460KB)

Information on the June 3, 1976 issue with the enforcement actions against municipal and industrial dischargers failing to meet the July 1, 1977 statutory deadlines and procedures for issuing enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters (ECSL's).
Date Published: 12/10/1976



• RCRA Permit Priorities Guidance (PDF) (62KB)

Priorities for processing RCRA permits.
Date Published: 10/03/1980



• Recent Concerns about USGS Data for Selected Metals (PDF) (261KB)

Use of data for establishing NPDES permit limits.
Date Published: 01/02/1992



• Recent Environmental Appeals Board Decision (PDF) (1,000KB)

Memorandum explaining that the decision of EPA's environmental appeals board upheld an EPA issued permit limit for whole effluent toxicity.
Date Published: 10/07/1993



• Regional Guidance for Development of State-by-State Watershed Protection Assessment and Action Plans (PDF) (1,933KB)

Guidance document to provide assistance to EPA regions in preparing state-by-state assessments and action plans.
Date Published: 05/10/1994



• Regional Review of State-Issued NPDES Permits (PDF) (125KB)

Clarification on review of NPDES permits.
Date Published: 01/18/1980



• Reissuing NPDES Permits to Sources Affected by the NRDC Consent Agreement (PDF) (243KB)

Guidance on reissuing permits.
Date Published: 05/16/1978



• Release of Dioxin Treatability Study and Interim Control Measures for Regulating Dioxin Discharges from Pulp and Paper Mills (PDF) (109KB)

Transmits preliminary reports that present results of EPA's bench scale wastewater treatability study in pulp and paper mill wastewaters.
Date Published: 10/20/1988



• Remand of the OCPSF Effluent Limitations Guidelines for Bis (2-Chloroisopropyl) ether (PDF) (77KB)

Memorandum announcing that due to a partial remand on the organic chemicals effluent guideline, permit writers need to use their best professional judgement for writing permit limits for bis (2-chloroisopropyl) ether.
Date Published: 11/30/1988
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 2KB ]




• Representative Sampling in NPDES Permits (PDF) (132KB)

Expresses importance of clear expressions of monitoring locations in NPDES permits, and offering recommended permit language for such.
Date Published: 05/06/1983



• Request for Legal Opinion - Inclusion of Compliance Schedules in Second Round and New Permits

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Legal opinion allowing the use of compliance schedules for revised BAT and water quality standards. [Note: This is modified by Starkist Caribe decision of 1990.]
Date Published: 12/26/1978

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Results of Significant Noncompliance (SNC) Study (PDF) (179KB)

Significant noncompliance study and enforcement of EPA regulations.
Date Published: 08/25/1993



• Review of Memorandum Regarding Draft Procedures for Processing Fundamentally Different Factors Variances for Direct and Indirect Dischargers (PDF) (899KB)

Proposed procedures on variances and time extensions available under the Clean Water Act.
Date Published: 10/11/1983



• Review of State NPDES Permits Written Prior to State Program Revision (PDF) (202KB)

Applicability of certain requirements contained in the consolidated permit regulations.
Date Published: 12/24/1980



• Revised NPDES Second Round Permits Policy (PDF) (690KB)

Policy establishing five priorities for permit issuance, and requiring permit issuance by September 30, 1983. Revision to policy for issuing permits that implement BAT. [Note: This policy was later revised and expired September 30, 1983.]
Date Published: 06/02/1982



• Revised Policy Statement on Scope of Discharge Authorization and Shield Associated with NPDES Permits (PDF) (347KB)

Memorandum describing EPA's policy interpretation of Clean Water Act section 402(k), also known as "permit as a shield."
Date Published: 04/11/1995



• Science Policy Council Handbook: Peer Review, EPA 100-B-98-001, January 1998 (PDF) (344KB)

On June 7, 1994, the EPA issued a Peer Review Policy Statement. The overall objective of the Peer Review Policy is to enhance the quality and credibility of Agency decisions by ensuring that scientific and technical work products that support EPA decisions receive peer review by independent scientific and technical experts. To help EPA state and managers implement this policy, EPA's Science Policy Council (SPC) prepared this Peer Review Handbook to provide guidance on organizing and conducting peer reviews.
Date Published: 06/07/1994



• Section 301(g) Variance Requests (PDF) (287KB)

Guidance for handling 301(g) variance requests.
Date Published: 05/17/1983



• Sewage Disposal from Trains (PDF) (125KB)

Clarifies that sewage disposal from trains is best addressed by the Rail Passenger Service Act, and not the Clean Water Act.
Date Published: 11/08/1988



• Short-Term Financial Assistance for States Expected to Receive Authorization Before January 1, 1981 (PDF) (111KB)

Issues of financial assistance to states where the Region expects to issue interim authorization between Nov. 19, 1980 and Jan. 1, 1981.
Date Published: 10/03/1980



• Signatories to Department of Defense Permit Applications (PDF) (417KB)

Memorandum identifying who must sign permit applications submitted for Department of Defense facilities, including NPDES permits.
Date Published: 01/25/1985



• State General Permit Program Development (PDF) (7,113KB)

Guidance document provides a centralized source of information about the general permit process and obtaining general permit authority.
Date Published: 06/13/1989



• State Regulation on Federal Facilities under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1977 (Clean Water Act) Policy Guidance Memorandum (PDF) (446KB)

Information on the recent amendments to the FWPCA.
Date Published: 03/10/1978



• State Sludge Management Program Guidance Manual (PDF) (29KB)

Provides guidance and specifies procedures for evaluating state sludge program applications.
Date Published: 10/01/1990



• State Water Quality-Based Quality Control Program Review Guidance (PDF) (2,000KB)

Guidance for review of state toxics control programs. [Note: This activity was suspended following release of the 1991 Technical Support Document for Water Quality-based Toxics Control, and the promulgation of the National Toxics Rule on December 22, 1992.]
Date Published: 12/01/1987



• Statement by Agency Personnel Purporting to Sanction Source Actions Which Are Inconsistent With Statutory Requirements

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.

Restates EPA's policy that employees cannot make formal or informal commitments to refrain from taking enforcement action or sanction activities that violate statutory or regulatory requirements administered by EPA.
Date Published: 05/28/1980

(This file is not currently available for download)


• Status Report in the Matter of Star-Kist Caribe, Inc. Petitioner NPDES Permit No. PR0022012 (PDF) (329KB)

Steps Petitioner and the Office of Water have taken to address implementation of September 4, 1990 Stay Order.
Date Published: 04/03/1992



• Statutory Deadlines for Compliance by Publicly Owned Treatment Works under the Clean Water Act (PDF) (345KB)

Memo regarding statutory deadlines affected by the amendments to the CWA
Date Published: 03/04/1983
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 10KB ]




• Stay Granted in Star-Kist Caribe (PDF) (370KB)

Stay of order on petition for reconsideration.
Date Published: 09/21/1990



• Strategy for the Regulation of Discharges of PHDDs and PHDFs from Pulp and Paper Mills to Waters of the United States (PDF) (3,114KB)

Strategy for writing permit limits to control dioxins and furans discharged from pulp and paper mills. Updates the August 9, 1988 interim strategy.
Date Published: 05/21/1990



• Suspended Solids Effluent Limitations for Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Ponds Followed by Other Treatment Elements (PDF) (409KB)

Policy stating when the secondary treatment requirement for total suspended solids can be adjusted.
Date Published: 09/01/1978



• Suspension of Consolidated Permit Regulation Establishing Criteria for NPDES New Source Determinations and Proposed Revision of the Regulation (PDF) (89KB)

Announcement of suspension of NPDES regulations pertaining to new sources, and proposal of revision. [Note: This memorandum is obsolete when the changes were promulgated on September 26, 1984.]
Date Published: 09/25/1980



• Suspension of Portion of Definition of "Waters of the United States" in Consolidated Permit Regulations - Action Memorandum (PDF) (79KB)

Suspending a provision of the Consolidated Permit Regulations.
Date Published: 07/15/1980



• Technical Guidance Manual for the Regulations Promulgated Pursuant to Section 301(g) of the Clean Water Act of 1977 and 40 CFR Part 125 (Subpart F) (PDF) (10,000KB)

Guidance to EPA Regions and states on how to conduct the technical analysis required in support of Section 301(g) variances to effluent guidelines. Assistance for applicants in developing best available technology economically achievable (BAT) effluent limitations for non-conventional pollutants (CWA s.301(g)).
Date Published: 08/22/1984



• Technical Support Document for Water Quality-Based Toxics Control (PDF) (27,845KB)

States and Regions with guidance on procedures for use in water quality-based control of toxic pollutants.
Date Published: 03/01/1991



• The Use of State Permitting Systems During Phase I Interim Authorization Which Are Not Based on Explicit Regulatory Standards (PDF) (159KB)

Issues of state hazardous waste programs.
Date Published: 10/17/1980



• The Watershed Approach: Our Framework for Ecosystem Protection (PDF) (648KB)

Describesing actions EPA will take to foster a watershed approach to protecting surface waters.
Date Published: 10/07/1994



• The Watershed Protection Approach Framework Document (PDF) (1,877KB)

Water program's efforts to identify & control water pollution and protect watersheds.
Date Published: 10/28/1991



• Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Characterization of Chronically Toxic Effluents, Phase I (PDF) (5,923KB)

Methods to characterize the chemical/physical nature of the constituents in effluents which cause their chronic toxicity (EPA 600-6-91-005F).
Date Published: 05/01/1992



• Toxicity Reduction Evaluation Guidance for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

Guidance document to permittees, permit writers and consultants on the general approach and procedures for conducting toxicity reduction evaluations (TREs) at municipal wastewater treatment plants. Provides new updates and additional case study discussions on issues for identifying whole effluent toxicity at municipal wastewater treatment plants. It addresses many issues that stakeholders have raised since the earlier April 1989 edition. It is intended to be a guide to the approaches that have been successfully used in municipal TREs (EPA 833-B-99-022).
Date Published: 08/01/1999
• Entire Document (PDF) (367KB)


• Appendix A (PDF) (64KB)


• Appendix B (PDF) (27KB)


• Appendix C (PDF) (40KB)


• Appendix D (PDF) (55KB)


• Appendix E (PDF) (48KB)


• Appendix F (PDF) (83KB)


• Appendix G (PDF) (51KB)


• Appendix H (PDF) (34KB)


• Appendix I (PDF) (27KB)


• Appendix J (PDF) (36KB)


• Appendix A - J (PDF) (4.6MB)



• Training Manual for NPDES Permit Writers

Illustratation of the application of technical principles of the NPDES regulations. Table of contents only (EPA-833-B-93-003).
Date Published: 05/01/1987
• Cover of Document (PDF) (30KB)


• [Click here to view in PDF format - 180KB ]



• Transfer of Authority Over Federal Facilities to NPDES States - Guidance Memorandum (PDF) (218KB)

Guidance on authorizing states to issue NPDES permits to federal facilities. Uniform method for processing transfers of authority.
Date Published: 11/28/1978



• Transfer of NPDES Federal Facilities Program Authority Under Section 313 of the Clean Water Act to the State of Michigan: Action Memorandum (PDF) (287KB)

Information on NPDES program authority for Federal Facilities being transferred to the state of Michigan.
Date Published: 10/27/1978



• Transmittal of Draft Technical Support Document (PDF) (68KB)

Transmittal letter for the latest draft of EPA's Technical Support Document for Water Quality-Based Toxics Control.
Date Published: 07/01/1984



• Transmittal of Final Policy on Biological Assessments and Criteria (PDF) (1,000KB)

Memorandum providing EPA's policy on use of biological criteria and requirement to independently apply water quality criteria when assessing the health of a surface water. This is the document that presents EPA's policy on "independent applicability."
Date Published: 06/19/1991



• Treatability Manual, Volume I - Treatability Data (PDF) (177KB)

Preface and Acknowledgements for the Treatability Manual. Series of EPA guidance manuals on the treatability of priority pollutants. Guidance is often used by permit writers when establishing permit limits using best professional judgement. Vol.1(EPA 800/8-80-042A; ERIC W754; NTIS PB80-223050), Vol.2 (EPA 800/
Date Published: 06/23/1980



• Understanding and Accounting for Method Variability in Whole Effluent Toxicity Applications Under the NPDES Program

This document was developed by an EPA OWM work group to address questions raised by stakeholders on the issue of analytical variability that might be associated with Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing and how it relates to the NPDES permit program (EPA 833-R-00-003)
Date Published: 06/01/2000
• Cover and Disclaimer (PDF) (8KB)


• Table of Contents (PDF) (12KB)


• Acknowledgments (PDF) (7KB)


• Executive Summary (PDF) (16KB)


• List of Acronyms and Abbreviations (PDF) (6KB)


• Glossary (PDF) (15KB)


• Chapter 1: Introduction (PDF) (12KB)


• Chapter 2: Definition and Measurement of Method Variability in WET Testing (PDF) (12KB)


• Chapter 3: Variability of WET Test Methods (PDF) (102KB)


• Chapter 4: Variability in Context (PDF) (18KB)


• Chapter 5: Generating and Evaluating Effect Concentrations (PDF) (231KB)


• Chapter 6: Determining Reasonable Potential and Deriving WET Permit Conditions (PDF) (48KB)


• Chapter 7: Conclusions and Guidance to Laboratories, Permittees, and Regulatory Authorities (PDF) (31KB)


• Chapter 8: Bibliography (PDF) (25KB)


• Appendix A: Interim Coefficients of Variation (PDF) (17KB)


• Appendix B: Supplementary Information for Reference Toxicity Data (PDF) (224KB)


• Appendix C: Sample Calculation of Permit Limits (PDF) (55KB)


• Appendix D: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF) (37KB)


• Appendix E: Examples of Selected State WET Implementation Programs (PDF) (101KB)


• Appendix F: Improvements in Minimizing WET Test Variability by the State of North Carolina (PDF) (1,101KB)


• Appendix G: Analytical Variability in Reasonable Potential and Permit Limit Calculations (PDF) (102KB)



• Use of BOD5 Carbonaceous Test Results to Determine Compliance with NPDES Permits Based on Secondary Treatment Requirements (PDF) (410KB)

Secondary treatment requirements.
Date Published: 03/10/1980



• Use of Closed Cycle Cooling Systems to meet the Requirements of Section 316(b)

Legal memorandum stating that EPA cannot require closed cycle cooling systems (e.g., cooling towers) at powerplants, but can specify intake capacity restrictions that might lead to installation of cooling towers.
Date Published: 02/26/1975
• Section 316(b) of the FWPCA (CWA) (PDF) (89KB)


• Memo: Use of Closed Cycle Cooling Systems to meet the Requirements of Section 316(b) (PDF) (34KB)



• Use of Enforcement Compliance Schedule Letters Past July 1, 1977 (PDF) (112KB)

Expands upon previous memoranda on this subject regarding use of enforcement compliance schedule letters issued after July 1, 1977.
Date Published: 05/11/1977



• Use of In-stream Mechanical Aerators to Meet Water Quality Standards (PDF) (171KB)

Information on the use of in-stream aerators to meet water quality standards. Recommends that the use of instream aerators not be considered analogous to low flow augmentation.
Date Published: 05/02/1977



• Use of Low Flow Augmentation by Point Sources to Meet Water Quality Standards (PDF) (526KB)

EPA's policy discouraging use of flow augmentation as an alternative to treatment for meeting water quality standards.
Date Published: 11/08/1976



• Utility Manholes and Vaults as "Point Sources" (PDF) (274KB)

Letter to Senator Reid on whether utility manholes and vaults are point sources of pollution under the CWA.
Date Published: 09/04/1997



• Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers

EPA’s first "how-to" manual on designing and implementing water quality trading programs. The Toolkit helps NPDES permitting authorities incorporate trading provisions into permits. It will help improve the quality and consistency of all trading programs across the nation. Visit EPA's Water Quality Trading web site for more information.
Date Published: 08/07/2007
• Part 1: Fundamentals (508-Compliant Version) (PDF) (4,875K)


• Part 2: Appendices (508-Compliant Version) (PDF) (7,994K)


• Cover, Title Page, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations and Acronyms, Executive Summary, and Water Quality Trading Fundamentals (PDF) (1,717K)


• Single Point Source - Single Point Source Trading Scenario (PDF) (450K)


• Multiple Facility Point Source Trading Scenario (PDF) (686K)


• Point Source Credit Exchange Trading Scenario (PDF) (497K)


• Point Source - Nonpoint Source Trading Scenario (PDF) (1,225K)


• Nonpoint Source Credit Exchange Trading Scenario (PDF) (869K)


• Glossary (PDF) (97K)


• References (PDF) (72K)


• Appendix A: Water Quality Trading Program Fact Sheets (PDF) (1,089K)


• Rahr Malting Company Point-Nonpoint Source Trading Summary (Appendix A) (PDF) (650K)


• Rahr Malting Company Nonpoint Source Crediting Calculations (Appendix A) (PDF) (983K)


• Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Phosphorus Trade Crediting Calculations (Appendix A) (PDF) (602K)


• Appendix B: EPA’s 2003 National Water Quality Trading Policy (PDF) (3,213K)


• Appendix C: Water Quality Trading Forms (PDF) (3,720K)


• Appendix D: Use of EPA Cost Share (PDF) (93K)


• Appendix E: Permit Writers’ Checklists (PDF) (139K)


• Appendix F: Trading With Subsurface Septic Systems (PDF) (162K)


• Appendix G: Sediment and Nutrient Trades with Forestry and Drinking Water Treatment Facility (PDF) (386K)



• Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System: Supplementary Information Document (SID) (PDF) (3,080KB)

EPA published the final Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System in the Federal Register on March 23, 1995. The purpose of this Supplementary Information Document (SID) is to provide a more detailed description of the final Guidance, including a statement of the basis and purpose of the final Guidance; a discussion of the major changes from the proposal; and an analysis of issues raised in comments received on the proposed Guidance and subsequent documents in the Federal Register (EPA-820-B-95-001).
Date Published: 03/01/1995



• Water Treatment Plant Limitations (PDF) (194KB)

EPA has reviewed a proposed regional policy on industrial and municipal water treatment plant permit limitations.
Date Published: 04/13/1977



• Waters of the United States Determination For a Proposed Cooling Pond Site in Polk County, Florida (PDF) (416KB)

Proposed cooling pond site in Polk County, Florida. Provides guidance on whether a cooling pond is considered as a water of the US under the NPDES permit program.
Date Published: 12/13/1993



• Watershed-Based National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Technical Guidance

This technical guidance is a follow up to the 2003 Watershed-based National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Implementation Guidance and provides greater detail concerning a number of permit development and issuance questions not addressed previously. This document is focused on helping NPDES authorities develop and issue NPDES permits that fit into an overall watershed planning and management approach with input from watershed stakeholders.

EPA is encouraging stakeholders to use this technical guidance and other tools available as a framework to move watershed-based permitting from the concept to implementation stage. EPA is seeking comments and feedback on the technical guidance as permitting authorities and other stakeholders use it. Please send all comments to EPA's Watershed Permitting Team.
Date Published: 07/20/2007

• Technical Guidance (PDF) (1,900KB)


• Appendix A (PDF) (189KB)


• Appendix B (PDF) (115KB)


• Appendix C (PDF) (71KB)


• Appendix D (PDF) (134KB)


• Entire Document (PDF) (107 pp, 2,100KB)



• Watershed-Based National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Implementation Guidance

Describes EPA's recommended steps and ideas for watershed-based permitting implementation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. This approach, aimed at achieving new efficiencies and environmental results, provides a process for considering all stressors within a hydrologically defined drainage basin or other geographic area, rather than addressing individual pollutant sources on a discharge-by-discharge basis (EPA 833-B-03-004).
Date Published: 12/17/2003
• Transmittal Memo (PDF) (97KB)


• Implementation Guidance (PDF) (1,697KB)



• Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Control Policy (PDF) (27KB)

Policy is intended to promote nationwide compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements for the control of WET.
Date Published: 07/01/1994



• Workshop on Aquatic Life Criteria for Metals Short Term Recommendations (PDF) (152KB)

Recommendations from Jan. 25, 1993 workshop on aquatic life criteria for metals.
Date Published: Unknown



• Writing NPDES BAT Permits in the Absence of Promulgated Effluent Guidelines (PDF) (661KB)

Expresses need to reissue NPDES permits implementing BAT although effluent guidelines have not been developed, and initial guidance on how to write such permits using best professional judgement.
Date Published: 06/25/1980

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