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Document ID us-npdespwm-2010-09 Title National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Writers' Manual URL https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-09/pwm_2010_edits_2025_06.pdf Jurisdiction /us Subdomain(s) none Language Status completed Analyzed at 2026-05-12 21:38:36.348621+00:00 Relevance inventory_targeted_fetch

22 Qualitative 70 Quantitative 0 Definitions

Q Qualitative Requirements (22)

Req ID	Category	Intent	Legal Status	Name	Subdomain(s)	Context	Conditions	Confidence
#Q001	administrative	operational	mandatory	NPDES Permit Application Requirement	wastewater	The NPDES regulations at Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 122.21(a) require that any person, except persons covered by general permits under § 122.28, who discharges pollutants or proposes to discharge pollutants to waters of the United States must apply for a permit.	Applies to any person who discharges or proposes to discharge pollutants to waters of the United States, except those covered by general permits under § 122.28.	high
#Q002	administrative	operational	mandatory	Operator Duty to Obtain Permit	wastewater	The regulations at § 122.21(b) require that when a facility or activity is owned by one person but is operated by another person, it is the operator's duty to obtain a permit.	Applies when a facility or activity is owned by one person but operated by another person.	high
#Q003	administrative	operational	mandatory	Application Signature and Certification	wastewater	The regulations also require the application to be signed and certified by a high-ranking official of the business or activity.		high
#Q004	monitoring	reporting	mandatory	Pollutant Mass and Effluent Volume Monitoring	wastewater	Regulations at § 122.44(i) require permittees to monitor pollutant mass (or other applicable unit of measure) and effluent volume and to provide other measurements (as appropriate) using the test methods established at Part 136.		high
#Q005	monitoring	reporting	mandatory	Use of Approved Test Procedures	wastewater	The standard conditions of the permit [§§ 122.41(j)(4) and 122.44(i)] require that, when available, permittees use test procedures specified in Part 136	When available	high
#Q006	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Reporting Monitoring Results on DMR	wastewater	The regulations at § 122.41(l)(4)(i) require that monitoring results must be reported on a DMR		high
#Q007	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Minimum Annual Reporting Requirement	wastewater	All facilities must submit reports (on discharges and sludge use or disposal) at least annually, as required by § 122.44(i)(2).		high
#Q008	operational	operational	mandatory	Duty to Comply	wastewater	The permittee must comply with all conditions of the permit.		high
#Q009	administrative	operational	mandatory	Duty to Reapply	wastewater	A permittee wishing to continue permitted activities after the permit expiration date must reapply for and obtain a new permit.	When a permittee wishes to continue permitted activities after the permit expiration date.	high
#Q010	corrective_action	health	mandatory	Duty to Mitigate	wastewater	The permittee is required to take all reasonable steps to prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of the permit that has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.		high
#Q011	operational	operational	mandatory	Proper Operation and Maintenance	wastewater	The permittee must properly operate and maintain all equipment and treatment systems used for compliance with the terms of the permit.		high
#Q012	monitoring	operational	mandatory	Laboratory Controls and Quality Assurance	wastewater	The permittee must provide appropriate laboratory controls and quality assurance procedures.		high
#Q013	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Duty to Provide Information	wastewater	The permittee must furnish, within a reasonable time, any information needed to determine compliance with the permit or to determine whether there is cause to modify, revoke and reissue, or terminate the permit.		high
#Q014	administrative	operational	mandatory	Inspection and Entry	wastewater	The permittee must, upon presentation of valid credentials by the Director or his or her representative, allow entry into the premises where the regulated activity or records are present.	Upon presentation of valid credentials by the Director or his or her representative.	high
#Q015	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Retention of Monitoring Records	wastewater	The permittee must retain records for 3 years (5 years for sewage sludge activities) subject to extension by the Director.		high
#Q016	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Signatory Requirement	wastewater	The permittee must sign and certify applications, reports, or information submitted to the Director in accordance with the requirements in § 122.22.		high
#Q017	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Notice of Planned Changes	wastewater	Notice must be given to the Director as soon as possible of planned physical alterations or additions to the facility (or both) that could meet the criteria for determining whether the facility is a new source under § 122.29(b); result in changes in the nature or quantity of pollutants discharged; or significantly change sludge use or disposal practices.	When there are planned physical alterations or additions to the facility that meet criteria for new sources, result in changes to pollutant discharge, or significantly change sludge use or disposal.	high
#Q018	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Anticipated Noncompliance Notice	wastewater	The permittee must give advance notice of any planned changes that could result in noncompliance.	Prior to any planned changes that could result in noncompliance.	high
#Q019	reporting	health	mandatory	Twenty-Four Hour Reporting	wastewater	The permittee must orally report any noncompliance that might endanger human health or the environment within 24 hours after becoming aware of the circumstances.	Any noncompliance that might endanger human health or the environment.	high
#Q020	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Written Submission of Noncompliance	wastewater	Within 5 days of becoming aware of the circumstances, the permittee must provide a written submission including a description of the noncompliance and its cause; the period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times; the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue (if not already corrected); and steps taken to reduce, eliminate, or prevent reoccurrence unless the Director waives the requirement.	Within 5 days of becoming aware of the circumstances of noncompliance.	high
#Q021	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Other Noncompliance Reporting	wastewater	The permittee must report all instances of noncompliance not reported under other specific reporting requirements at the time monitoring reports are submitted.	At the time monitoring reports are submitted.	high
#Q022	reporting	reporting	mandatory	Duty to Submit Relevant Facts or Information	wastewater	If the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in its application, or submitted incorrect information in its application or other reports, it must promptly submit such facts or information.	If the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in its application, or submitted incorrect information.	high

P Quantitative Requirements (70)

Req ID	Category	Intent	Legal Status	Name	Subdomain(s)	Limit Type	Limit Value	Context	Conditions	Confidence
#P001	chemical	treatment	mandatory	BOD5 (30-day average)	wastewater	requirement	30 mg/L	Secondary treatment standards for BOD5	30-day average	high
#P002	chemical	treatment	mandatory	CBOD5 (30-day average)	wastewater	requirement	25 mg/L	Secondary treatment standards for CBOD5	30-day average	high
#P003	chemical	treatment	mandatory	BOD5 (7-day average)	wastewater	requirement	45 mg/L	Secondary treatment standards for BOD5	7-day average	high
#P004	chemical	treatment	mandatory	CBOD5 (7-day average)	wastewater	requirement	40 mg/L	Secondary treatment standards for CBOD5	7-day average	high
#P005	chemical	treatment	mandatory	TSS (30-day average)	wastewater	requirement	30 mg/L	Secondary treatment standards for TSS	30-day average	high
#P006	chemical	treatment	mandatory	TSS (7-day average)	wastewater	requirement	45 mg/L	Secondary treatment standards for TSS	7-day average	high
#P007	chemical	treatment	mandatory	BOD5 and TSS removal	wastewater	requirement	>= 85 %	Secondary treatment standards for BOD5 and TSS removal	30-day average	high
#P008	chemical	treatment	mandatory	pH	wastewater	requirement	6.0-9.0 standard units	Secondary treatment standards for pH		high
#P009	chemical	treatment	mandatory	BOD5 (30-day average, Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	<= 45 mg/L	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	30-day average	high
#P010	chemical	treatment	mandatory	CBOD5 (30-day average, Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	<= 40 mg/L	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	30-day average	high
#P011	chemical	treatment	mandatory	BOD5 (7-day average, Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	<= 65 mg/L	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	7-day average	high
#P012	chemical	treatment	mandatory	CBOD5 (7-day average, Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	<= 60 mg/L	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	7-day average	high
#P013	chemical	treatment	mandatory	TSS (30-day average, Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	<= 45 mg/L	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	30-day average	high
#P014	chemical	treatment	mandatory	TSS (7-day average, Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	<= 65 mg/L	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	7-day average	high
#P015	chemical	treatment	mandatory	BOD5 and TSS removal (Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	>= 65 %	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards	30-day average	high
#P016	chemical	treatment	mandatory	pH (Equivalent to Secondary)	wastewater	requirement	6.0-9.0 standard units	Equivalent to secondary treatment standards		high
#P017	operational	operational	guideline	Major POTW Facility Flow Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 1 mgd	Criteria to determine which sources should be considered major facilities	Applicable to Publicly Owned Treatment Works	high
#P018	operational	operational	guideline	Major POTW Facility Population Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 10000 people	Criteria to determine which sources should be considered major facilities	Applicable to Publicly Owned Treatment Works	high
#P019	operational	operational	mandatory	Significant Industrial User (SIU) Flow Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 25000 gpd	Definition of industrial users that are focus of control efforts under National Pretreatment Program	Excludes sanitary, non-contact cooling, and boiler blowdown wastewater	high
#P020	operational	operational	mandatory	Nonsignificant Categorical Industrial User Flow Limit	wastewater	requirement	<= 100 gpd	Threshold for determining if a user is nonsignificant rather than an SIU	Total categorical wastewater	high
#P021	operational	reporting	mandatory	Technical Review Criteria (TRC) - Group I Pollutants	wastewater	requirement	1.4 multiplier	Used to evaluate magnitude of monthly average limitation violations for QNCR	Group I (conventional) pollutants	high
#P022	operational	reporting	mandatory	Technical Review Criteria (TRC) - Group II Pollutants	wastewater	requirement	1.2 multiplier	Used to evaluate magnitude of monthly average limitation violations for QNCR	Group II (generally toxic) pollutants	high
#P023	operational	reporting	mandatory	QNCR Compliance Schedule Violation Delay	wastewater	requirement	>= 90 days	Threshold for reportable noncompliance regarding schedule milestones		high
#P024	operational	reporting	mandatory	QNCR Report Submission Delay	wastewater	requirement	>= 30 days	Threshold for reportable noncompliance regarding late reports		high
#P025	operational	operational	mandatory	Biosolids Monitoring Frequency - Tier 1	wastewater	requirement	> 0 and < 290 metric tons per year	Minimum monitoring frequency based on amount of sewage sludge used or disposed	Dry weight of sludge	high
#P026	design	operational	mandatory	New Facility Cooling Water Intake Threshold	other	requirement	> 2 mgd	Applicability of Phase I CWA section 316(b) rule for new facilities	Facility must also use at least 25 percent of water withdrawn for cooling	high
#P027	operational	operational	guideline	Nonexcessive Infiltration Flow Threshold	wastewater	requirement	< 120 gallons per capita per day	Definition used for adjustments to percent removal requirements for POTWs	Includes domestic base flow and infiltration	high
#P028	operational	operational	guideline	Dry-weather Base Flow Infiltration (Per Capita)	wastewater	requirement	40 gallons per capita per day	Threshold used to determine infiltration portion of dry-weather base flow	Dry weather	high
#P029	operational	operational	guideline	Dry-weather Base Flow Infiltration (Sewer Metric)	wastewater	requirement	1500 gallons per inch diameter per mile of sewer	Threshold used to determine infiltration portion of dry-weather base flow	Dry weather	high
#P030	operational	operational	guideline	Nonexcessive Inflow and Inflow (I/I) Total Flow	wastewater	requirement	< 275 gallons per capita per day	Criteria for determining nonexcessive I/I for separate sewer systems	Total flow (wastewater plus inflow plus infiltration)	high
#P031	operational	treatment	mandatory	Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production (CAAP) Threshold	other	requirement	>= 100000 pounds	Applicability threshold for effluent guidelines for CAAP facilities	Annual production of aquatic animals	high
#P032	unknown	operational	recommended	Default Acute-to-Chronic Ratio (ACR)	aquatic life	requirement	10 ratio	Recommended default ACR value when sufficient paired acute/chronic WET data are unavailable	Less than 10 paired sets of data	high
#P033	operational	operational	mandatory	Biosolids Monitoring Frequency - Tier 2	wastewater	requirement	>= 290 and < 1500 metric tons per year	Minimum monitoring frequency for sewage sludge	Dry weight of sludge	high
#P034	unknown	unknown	mandatory	Max Administrative Penalty Order	other	requirement	157500 dollars ($)	Maximum penalty amount for administrative orders	Enforcement actions for CWA violations	high
#P035	unknown	unknown	mandatory	Max Civil Judicial Penalty	other	requirement	32500 dollars ($) per day per violation	Maximum daily penalty amount for discharging without a permit or in violation of conditions	Civil or criminal action under CWA section 309	high
#P036	operational	operational	mandatory	Significant Industrial User (SIU) Capacity Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 5 %	Criteria for determining if an industrial user is an SIU based on contribution to POTW capacity	Average dry-weather hydraulic or organic capacity	high
#P037	operational	operational	mandatory	Industrial Contribution Adjustment Threshold	wastewater	requirement	> 10 %	Requirement for POTW to qualify for upward adjustment of BOD5 or TSS limits based on industrial contribution	Industrial category flow or loading vs POTW design flow or loading	high
#P038	design	operational	mandatory	Cooling Water Use Applicability Threshold	aquatic life	requirement	>= 25 %	Percentage of water withdrawn for cooling to trigger Phase I section 316(b) requirements	Applies to new facilities with design intake flow > 2 mgd	high
#P039	operational	operational	mandatory	Biosolids Monitoring Frequency - Tier 3	wastewater	requirement	>= 1500 and < 15000 metric tons per year	Monitoring frequency threshold for sewage sludge usage	Dry weight of sludge	high
#P040	operational	operational	mandatory	Biosolids Monitoring Frequency - Tier 4	wastewater	requirement	>= 15000 metric tons per year	Maximum monitoring frequency threshold for sewage sludge usage	Dry weight of sludge	high
#P041	operational	operational	mandatory	New Source Compliance Deadline	wastewater	requirement	<= 90 days	Timeframe for new source to meet all applicable standards after startup	Applies after beginning discharge	high
#P042	operational	operational	mandatory	Phase II Cooling Water Existing Plant Threshold	aquatic life	requirement	>= 50 mgd	Threshold for existing electric generating plants under Phase II cooling water intake regulations		high
#P043	chemical	treatment	mandatory	Petroleum Refining Pretreatment Oil and Grease Limit	wastewater	requirement	100 mg/L	Categorical pretreatment standard for new and existing petroleum refining sources	One-day maximum concentration	high
#P044	chemical	health	guideline	Dichlorobromomethane Human Health Criterion (Water + Organism)	drinking water	requirement	0.55 ug/L	Ambient water criterion for protection of human health from ingestion of water and aquatic organisms	Based on carcinogenic effects	high
#P045	chemical	health	guideline	Dichlorobromomethane Human Health Criterion (Organism Only)	recreational water	requirement	17 ug/L	Ambient water criterion for protection of human health from ingestion of contaminated aquatic organisms alone	Based on carcinogenic effects	high
#P046	chemical	treatment	mandatory	Tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) Minimum Level	wastewater	requirement	10 pg/L	Minimum level (ML) limit for TCDF congener of dioxin in the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard category	Daily Maximum BAT effluent guideline for papergrade sulfite mills	high
#P047	operational	reporting	mandatory	POTW Supplemental Information Applicability Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 1 mgd	Requirement for POTWs to submit Supplemental Application Information (Parts D and E)	Design flow rate	high
#P048	operational	reporting	mandatory	Phase I Construction Activity Area	wastewater	requirement	>= 5 acres	NPDES permit coverage requirement for construction activity under Phase I	Total land area disturbed	high
#P049	operational	reporting	mandatory	Phase II Construction Activity Area	wastewater	requirement	1-5 acres	NPDES permit coverage requirement for construction activity under Phase II	Total land area disturbed	high
#P050	operational	reporting	mandatory	POTW Basic Application Information Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 0.1 mgd	Requirement for POTWs to submit Parts A, B, and C of Form 2A	Design influent flows	high
#P051	operational	reporting	mandatory	Phase I MS4 Population Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 100000 people	Criteria for medium and large MS4s subject to Phase I requirements	Population served	high
#P052	operational	operational	mandatory	Minor Modification Interim Compliance Date Revision	wastewater	requirement	<= 120 days	Allowable extension for interim compliance dates under minor modification procedures	Must not interfere with final compliance date	high
#P053	operational	reporting	mandatory	Public Notice Minimum Duration	other	requirement	>= 30 days	Minimum period for public comment on draft permits		high
#P054	chemical	treatment	guideline	Alabama Adjusted TSS 30-Day Average	wastewater	requirement	90 mg/L	State-specific adjusted TSS requirement for waste stabilization ponds	30-day average	high
#P055	operational	reporting	mandatory	Permit Application Deadline (Individual)	wastewater	requirement	180 days	Deadline for existing facilities to reapply before permit expiration	Before expiration of existing individual permit	high
#P056	operational	operational	mandatory	AFO Confinement Threshold	wastewater	requirement	>= 45 days	Definition of an Animal Feeding Operation based on animal confinement	In any 12-month period	high
#P057	operational	reporting	mandatory	State Certification Period	wastewater	requirement	<= 60 days	Timeframe for a state to respond to a request for CWA section 401 certification	After receipt of draft permit from EPA	high
#P058	operational	reporting	mandatory	Citizen Suit Notice Period	other	requirement	60 days	Required notice period before a citizen may begin a suit for CWA violations	Notice to EPA, state, and alleged violator	high
#P059	operational	reporting	mandatory	RNC Violation Frequency (TRC based)	wastewater	requirement	>= 2 months in a 6-month period	Frequency criteria for reportable noncompliance (RNC) for TRC magnitude violations	Violation must exceed product of TRC times monthly average limit	high
#P060	operational	reporting	mandatory	RNC Violation Frequency (General)	wastewater	requirement	4 months in a 6-month period	Frequency criteria for reportable noncompliance (RNC) for any Group I or II violation	Violation of monthly average limitation by any amount	high
#P061	chemical	treatment	guideline	California Adjusted TSS 30-Day Average	wastewater	requirement	95 mg/L	State-specific adjusted TSS requirement for waste stabilization ponds	30-day average	high
#P062	chemical	treatment	guideline	Colorado Aerated Ponds Adjusted TSS 30-Day Average	wastewater	requirement	75 mg/L	State-specific adjusted TSS requirement for waste stabilization ponds	30-day average	high
#P063	operational	reporting	mandatory	Construction Stormwater Application Deadline	wastewater	requirement	90 days	Deadline for submitting application for an individual NPDES permit for construction stormwater.	Before the date on which construction is to commence	high
#P064	operational	reporting	mandatory	Public Hearing Notice Period	other	requirement	>= 30 days	Requirement for providing public notice of a public hearing on a draft permit.	Before the public meeting	high
#P065	operational	reporting	mandatory	Permit Transfer Advance Notice	other	requirement	30 days	Timeframe for current permittee to notify the Director before an automatic permit transfer.	In advance of the transfer date	high
#P066	operational	unknown	mandatory	Vessel Length Moratorium Threshold	other	requirement	< 79 feet	Size threshold for non-recreational vessels subject to the permitting moratorium.	Discharges incidental to normal operation of commercial fishing and other non-recreational vessels	high
#P067	operational	operational	guideline	Tiered Limitation Fluctuating Threshold	wastewater	requirement	> 20 %	Fluctuation in production level that may warrant consideration of tiered limitations.	Based on production data changes	high
#P068	chemical	health	guideline	Default Fish Consumption Rate	drinking water, recreational water	requirement	17.5 grams per day	National default rate used to calculate human health criteria for toxic pollutants.	Freshwater/estuarine fish consumption	high
#P069	operational	reporting	mandatory	Standard Record Retention Period	other	requirement	>= 3 years	General requirement for permittees to retain records of monitoring activities.	Subject to extension by the State Director	high
#P070	operational	reporting	mandatory	Special Program Record Retention Period	wastewater, agricultural water	requirement	>= 5 years	Recordkeeping requirements for specific wastewater programs.	Applicable to sewage sludge and CAFO program records	high

D Definitions (0)

No definitions.