Industrial Wastewater Management

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
A Guide to Requirements and Procedures

for Obtaining Permits and Other Approvals
and for the Planning and Design of
Industrial Wastewater Management Systems
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Environmental Protection
For more information, visit DEP directly at www.dep.state.pa.us
or through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 362-0300-004
TITLE: Industrial Wastewater Management
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1997

Minor changes were made throughout (November 13, 2003)
AUTHORITY: Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.A. §§1251 to 1387) and the
Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. §§691.1-691.1001) Title 25 Pa. Code Chapters
16, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96.
POLICY: To protect the quality of both surface and underground waters of the
Commonwealth through the abatement and prevention of water pollution.
PURPOSE: To outline the requirements and procedures for obtaining permits and other
approvals for industrial wastewater management systems and discharges in
PA.
APPLICABILITY: The guidance document applies to the permitting of industrial wastewater

management systems and discharges.
DISCLAIMER: The policies and procedures outlined in this guidance are intended to
supplement existing requirements. Nothing in the policies or procedures
shall affect regulatory requirements.
The policies and procedures herein are not an adjudication or a regulation.

There is no intent on the part of DEP to give the rules in these policies that
weight or deference. This document establishes the framework within
which DEP will exercise its administrative discretion in the future. DEP
reserves the discretion to deviate from this policy statement if circumstances
warrant.
PAGE LENGTH: 41 pages
LOCATION: Volume 33, Tab 01
DEFINITIONS: Industrial Waste: Any liquid, gaseous, radioactive, solid or other substance,
not sewage, resulting from manufacturing or industry or from any
establishment, and mine drainage refuse, silt, coal mine solids, rock, debris,
dirt and clay from coal mines, coal collieries, breakers or other coal
processing operations. The term includes all of these substances whether or
not generally characterized as waste.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
A. Applicable Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Industrial Wastewater
Management.........................................................................................................................1
1. Federal Water Quality Act (1987) ...........................................................................1
2. Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law............................................................................2
3. DEP’s Rules and Regulations Which Deal with Industrial Wastewater
Management.............................................................................................................2
4. DEP’s Rules and Regulations Which Deal with Coal Mining ................................3
5. The Continuing Planning Process............................................................................4
B. Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management ......................................................4
C. Required Permits and Approvals for Industrial Wastewater Dischargers ...........................4
1. NPDES Permits........................................................................................................5
2. Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits..........................................................5
3. Other Permits and Approvals...................................................................................6
a. Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan.............................6
b. Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control .....................................................7
c. Headwall/Outfall and Other Encroachment Permit .....................................7
d. River Basin Commission Approvals and Other Requirements....................7
e. Hazardous and Residual Waste Permits (RCRA)........................................8
f. Air Quality Plan and Permit.........................................................................8
D. Permit Coordination.............................................................................................................8
II. Procedures for Obtaining Industrial Wastewater Permits................................................................9
A. NPDES Permits....................................................................................................................9
1. General Requirements..............................................................................................9
a. Application Forms .......................................................................................9
b. Services of Professional Consultants...........................................................9
c. Application Fee..........................................................................................10
d. Public Newspaper Notification Requirements...........................................10
e. Notification of Municipality and County...................................................11
2. Review of NPDES Permit Applications by Regional Water Quality
Management Staff (Figure 1).................................................................................11
a. Initial Acceptance Review .........................................................................11
b. General Basis for Application Reviews.....................................................13
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page ii

3. Determination of Wastewater Treatment Requirements........................................13
a. Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits ........................................................13
(1) Water Quality Criteria ...................................................................13
(2) “High Quality” or “Exceptional Value” Waters ............................14
(3) “Dry Stream” Discharges...............................................................14
(4) Time Extensions to Achieve WQBEL...........................................15
(5) Additional Information ..................................................................15
b. Technology-Based Effluent Limits............................................................16
c. Best Management Practices .......................................................................16
4. Transfers, Amendments, Termination, and Revocation and Reissuance of
NPDES Permits......................................................................................................17
a. Transfer of Permits ....................................................................................17
b. Amendments to Permits.............................................................................18
c. Revocation and Reissuance of Permits ......................................................18
d. Termination of Permits ..............................................................................19
e. Renewal of Permits ....................................................................................19
B. WQM Permits ....................................................................................................................19
1. General Requirements............................................................................................19
a. Application Form .......................................................................................19
b. Application Fee..........................................................................................20
c. Requirements for Utilizing the Services of a Registered
Professional Engineer ................................................................................20
(1) General...........................................................................................20
(2) Preliminary Conference .................................................................20
d. Public Newspaper Notification Requirements for Projects Involving
Land Application .......................................................................................20
e. Notification of Municipality and County...................................................21
2. Review of WQM Permit Applications by the Regional Water Quality
Management Staff..................................................................................................22
a. Initial Acceptance Review .........................................................................22
b. General Basis for Application Reviews.....................................................22
c. Preliminary Design Considerations ...........................................................23
(1) General...........................................................................................23
(2) Preliminary Hydrogeologic Review ..............................................23
(3) Design of Impoundments for Storage or Treatment of
Residual Wastes .............................................................................24
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page iii
d. Application Review Time Frame...............................................................25
3. Procedures for Obtaining Experimental WQM Permits ........................................27
a. General Information...................................................................................27
b. Duration of Experimental Permits .............................................................27
4. Transfers, Amendments, and Termination of WQM Permits................................27
a. Transfer of Permits ....................................................................................27
b. Amendments to Permits.............................................................................28
c. Termination and Revocation of Permits ....................................................28
d. Cancellation of Permits..............................................................................28
FIGURES
1. NPDES Permit Application Review Sequence..............................................................................12
2. WQM Permit Application Review Sequence ................................................................................26
3. General Outline of Design Engineer’s Report...............................................................................29
TABLES
1. Application Forms to be Used for NPDES Permits for New or Existing Discharges .....................9
APPENDICES
A. Guidelines for the Preparation of the Design Engineer’s Report ..................................................29
B. Notification Letter..........................................................................................................................36
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page iv

REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING
PERMITS AND OTHER APPROVALS
I. Introduction
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is authorized by law to protect the quality of
both surface and underground waters of the Commonwealth through the prevention and
abatement of water pollution. This section discusses the authorizing statutes, and the appropriate
rules and regulations upon which DEP bases its actions. Copies of the Clean Streams Law and
technical guidance documents are available for viewing on DEP’s website at
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/EPS/ .
A. Applicable Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Industrial Wastewater Management
1. Federal Water Quality Act (1987)
The basic structure of the Water Quality Act originated with the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act of 1972 (PL 92-500). The name was changed to the Clean
Water Act by the 1977 amendments, and then to the Water Quality Act by the
1987 amendments.
Section 101 of the Act establishes national goals, and policy and objective of the
Act. The objective being to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and
biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” The national goals being:
a. to eliminate the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters by 1985;
b. attainment of an “interim goal of water quality which provides for the

protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for
recreation in and on the water by July 1, 1983.”
The statement of policy includes:
a. the prohibition of discharges of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts;
b. a major research and demonstration effort be made to develop technology

necessary to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the navigable
waters, waters of the contiguous zone, and the oceans.
The Act defines two major approaches to be used to deliver these goals -
technology-based and water quality-based effluent limitations.
Section 301 of the Act establishes requirements for minimum degrees of

treatment through technology-based effluent limitations. This section also
establishes deadlines for achieving such effluent limitations by various types of
dischargers.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 1

Section 302 of the Act provides for the second major approach of establishing
water quality related effluent limitations. These water quality limitations are
intended to protect both human health and aquatic life, beyond the protection
afforded by the technology-based effluent limitations of Section 301 of the Act.
Section 402 of the Act provides the mechanism for implementing these two
approaches by requiring a discharger to receive a permit, from the state or
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), before the discharge can begin. EPA
has established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) in
order to fulfill this requirement and to provide for an enforcement mechanism.
In addition, the Act also requires that EPA address spills of oil and hazardous
substances, develop guidelines for permissible dumping of dredged and fill
material, and develop guidelines for land disposal of biosolids.
2. Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law
The Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law was originally enacted in 1937, and has
been amended several times in order to respond to changing needs for water
pollution control in Pennsylvania.
Article III of the Clean Streams Law deals specifically with industrial wastes. It
requires industrial dischargers to obtain permits to discharge industrial wastes to
the waters of the Commonwealth, to obtain approval of plans and specifications
prior to construction of industrial wastewater treatment facilities, and to obtain
permits to construct those treatment facilities. The article also requires industrial
wastewater dischargers to operate the treatment facilities in accordance with
DEP’s regulations.
The Clean Streams Law also establishes appropriate enforcement procedures and
penalties which apply to violations of the law.
3. DEP’s Rules and Regulations Which Deal with Industrial Wastewater

Management
The Environmental Quality Board, under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code, has
established Rules and Regulations to control water pollution and to protect water
quality. All chapters of DEP’s Rules and Regulations are available at
http://www.pacode.com . Those chapters which directly or indirectly relate to the
control of industrial wastewater discharges are as follows:
a. Chapter 16 - This chapter sets forth specific water quality criteria for toxic
substances.
b. Chapter 91 - This chapter sets forth general provisions for administration

and enforcement of Pennsylvania’s water quality management program,
and establishes specific application requirements, fee schedules, and
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 2

conditions for the approval and permitting of the construction and
operation of wastewater treatment projects within Pennsylvania.
c. Chapter 92 - This chapter sets forth the provisions for administration of

the NPDES program within Pennsylvania, and establishes criteria for the
content of NPDES permit applications, effluent standards, monitoring
requirements, standard permit conditions, public notification procedures,
and other requirements pertaining to the NPDES program.
d. Chapter 93 - This chapter sets forth specific water quality criteria and
designated water uses to be protected for each stream in Pennsylvania.
e. Chapter 94 - This chapter sets forth provisions for municipalities to

address pretreatment and other management requirements for industrial
wastewater discharged to municipal sewage collection and treatment
systems.
f. Chapter 95 - This chapter sets forth basic wastewater treatment

requirements for all dischargers and includes requirements and procedures
for dealing with special circumstances, such as dealing with discharges to
acid-impregnated streams, and special considerations for dealing with
discharges to lakes, ponds, and impoundments.
g. Chapter 96 - This chapter sets forth the process for achieving and
maintaining water quality standards.
4. DEP’s Rules and Regulations Which Deal with Coal Mining
Coal mining activities in Pennsylvania which involve anthracite and bituminous

surface and underground mines and coal preparation plants are regulated by
several laws including the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, the Pennsylvania
Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, the Federal Clean Water Act,
and the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Each of these laws
have permit implications which impose somewhat different requirements on coal
mine operators. DEP’s Mining Permit Program under Chapters 86 through 90 of
its Rules and Regulations, integrates the requirements of the four laws and
supplemental regulations for permitting purposes in order to reduce the regulatory
burden on the coal mine operators.
Non-mining facilities which have the potential to generate leachate and runoff
from the storage of coal (i.e., iron and steel facilities, institutional or commercial
coal users, small coal dealers, etc.) will be regulated under DEP’s Industrial
Wastewater Permit and/or Stormwater Programs. Additional information may be
obtained by referring to DEP’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Policy
DEP ID: 392-0300-002, available on DEP’s website. In some instances (i.e., the
steam electric power industry), EPA’s Effluent Limitation Guidelines deal
specifically with the coal storage areas and may be used along with the
appropriate water quality criteria in developing the facility’s permit limitations.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 3

Additional information regarding Pennsylvania’s Mining Program can be
obtained by referring to DEP’s Engineering Manual for Mining Operations DEP
ID: 563-0300-101, available on DEP’s website.
5. The Continuing Planning Process
DEP, in accordance with Section 208 of the Clean Water Act and Article I,
Sections 4 and 5 of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, has prepared a state-wide
Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP). This plan assesses the present
condition of both ground and surface waters in the state, identifies their existing
uses by residential, municipal, and industrial users, and describes the anticipated
wastewater management needs, together with a description of the proposed
actions to meet those needs. It also addresses the existing and anticipated needs
for nonpoint source management, along with the proposed actions needed to meet
those needs.
Any action which involves the issuance or modification of a permit for the
treatment or discharge of industrial wastes under Article III of the Clean Streams
Law must be in conformance with the appropriate provisions of the WQMP. For
further information refer to Pennsylvania’s Continuing Planning Process for
Water Quality Management DEP ID: 394-0810-001, available on DEP’s website.
B. Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management
The Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management (BWSWM) is organized

under the Office of Water Management and is responsible for maintaining and improving
the quality of Pennsylvania’s water resources, for the protection of planned and probable
uses, and for the protection of public health.
BWSWM maintains six regional offices which are responsible for implementing and
enforcing Pennsylvania’s Water Quality Management laws, handling complaints,
processing permit applications, conducting inspections, and investigating environmental
incidents.
The central office of BWSWM, in Harrisburg, is responsible for providing overall

program management.
A complete listing of regional offices and the counties under their jurisdiction can be
found on DEP’s website.
C. Required Permits and Approvals for Industrial Wastewater Dischargers
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania received delegation of the NPDES Permit Program

from the EPA on June 30, 1978. As part of the plan to integrate the NPDES program into
the existing state permit system, a two-part permitting process was instituted. The
following sections describe these two state-issued permits.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 4

1. NPDES Permits
Any person or facility which discharges pollutants into surface waters within
Pennsylvania must obtain an NPDES permit. Included are those facilities that
discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity as defined by 40 CFR
122.26(b)(14). Information on stormwater associated with industrial activity can
be found on EPA’s website at cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/indust.cfm or in
EPA’s Guidance Manual for the Preparation of NPDES Permit Application for
Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity EPA Publication
Number 505/8-91-002 available at www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/owm0241.pdf .
The purpose of this permit is to establish appropriate effluent limitations,

monitoring and reporting requirements, and schedule (as required) for complying
with the terms and conditions of the permit. This permit has a fixed life not
exceeding 5 years. The specific permit application requirements and procedures
are contained in Chapter 92 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations.
Certain activities within Pennsylvania are not required to obtain an NPDES

permit. These activities are as follows:
a. Closed systems, where there is no discharge of industrial wastes from the

facility.
b. Industrial waste pretreatment facilities, which discharge to Publicly

Owned Treatment Works (POTW), via a sanitary sewerage system. These
discharges will be regulated by both new source and existing source
categorical pretreatment standards for the industry in question.
c. Nonpoint source agricultural and silviculture activities including runoff

(but not including discharges from concentrated animal feeding
operations).
d. Return flows from agricultural irrigation.
e. Discharge to groundwater of the Commonwealth (i.e., spray irrigation,

subsurface disposal, etc.).
2. Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits
The WQM permit provides for the approval of plans and specifications for waste
treatment facilities and the construction and operation of these facilities.
Treatment facilities which discharge directly to surface or groundwater of the
Commonwealth are required to obtain this permit.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 5

Certain activities within Pennsylvania are not normally required to obtain a WQM
permit. These activities are as follows:
a. Closed systems, where there is no discharge of industrial wastes from the

facility. DEP may, pursuant to Section 402 of the Clean Streams Law,
require a permit if there exists the possibility of an occasional discharge
from the system or the potential for pollution to occur.
b. Industrial waste pretreatment facilities which discharge into a POTW are

not normally required to obtain a WQM permit, although DEP reserves
the right to require such a permit pursuant to Section 308 of the Clean
Streams Law.
c. Storage and land application of animal manure from concentrated animal

feeding operations (CAFO) less than 1,000 animal equivalent units
(AEU), which is carried out in a manner which is consistent with DEP’s
Manure Management for Environmental Protection DEP
d. Groundwater cleanup treatment facilities using demonstrated remediation

technology and approved by DEP.
e. Impoundments constructed for the detention/settling of stormwater.
For further information regarding what permits are required for various activities,
refer to the Guide to DEP Permits and Other Authorizations, available on DEP’s
website.
The requirements for preparing applications and obtaining a WQM permit are
included in Chapter 91 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations.
3. Other Permits and Approvals
A number of other permits and approvals may be required for industrial waste
treatment facilities in conjunction with NPDES and WQM permits. The
following is a brief description of such permits and approvals.
a. Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan - All industrial

activities which have the potential for an accidental release of pollutants to
surface or groundwater must prepare a PPC Plan. A copy of this plan may
be required to be submitted for review as part of the NPDES permit
application. For proposed new dischargers, where the source of
wastewater generation does not yet exist, or if the facility does not require
an NPDES Permit, a copy of the PPC Plan should be submitted with the
WQM permit application. For further information on PPC planning
requirements, see DEP’s Guidelines for the Development and
Implementation of Environmental Emergency Response Plans DEP
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 6

b. Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control - If the construction of any
project involves the disturbance of greater than 5,000 square feet, an
Erosion and Sedimentation Control (E&SC) Plan must be prepared.
For additional information regarding the contents and requirements of an

E&SC Plan, refer to DEP’s Erosion and Sedimentation Pollution Control
Program Manual DEP ID: 363-2134-008, available on DEP’s website,
and Chapter 102 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations.
c. Headwall/Outfall and Other Encroachment Permit - Any persons planning

to construct, operate, maintain, enlarge, or abandon any obstruction
(bridge, channel change, etc.) that will affect a watercourse, its 100-year
floodway or any lake, pond, reservoir, swamp, marsh or wetland, must
obtain a DEP permit. Examples of work requiring a permit include
changing a stream channel, dredging, or crossing; building or modifying a
bridge, dock, culvert, or pier; installing or changing an intake or outfall
structure; working on bank protection, including fill, levees, dikes,
bulkheads, and flood walls; placing an aerial crossing, such as a power
line, over a navigable stream. Contact the regional office of DEP for more
information.
Any state or local government agency or public utility working in a

100-year flood plain, which has been identified by FEMA, must also obtain
a permit.
For additional information regarding Headwall/Outfall and Other

Encroachment Permits, refer to Chapters 105 and 106 of DEP’s Rules and
Regulations.
d. River Basin Commission Approvals and Other Requirements - Any

project located within the Delaware River Basin which has a discharge of
greater than 50,000 gpd or the discharge contains toxic pollutants (i.e.,
heavy metals, certain organic compounds, etc.) must be reviewed and
approved by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). In these
cases, an additional copy of both the NPDES application and the WQM
application should be submitted to the regional office to be forwarded to
DRBC for review.
The DRBC application and fee form may be obtained from the website at
www.state.nj.us/drbc or by writing the Commission at:
Delaware River Basin Commission

P.O. Box 7360
25 State Police Drive
West Trenton, NJ 08628
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 7

The completed application and fee form should be sent directly to the
above address.
In certain instances, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)

may wish to review a facility’s permit application. In cases such as these,
the applicant will be notified by DEP, and a copy of the application will
be required to be sent to SRBC.
For dischargers within the Ohio River Basin, the discharge requirements
and water pollution control standards of the Ohio River Valley Water
Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) must be satisfied in conjunction
with the issuance of NPDES permits.
For dischargers located within Erie and Allegheny Counties, an additional

copy of all documents must be submitted. The regional office will
forward this material to the county health department for review.
e. Hazardous and Residual Waste Permits (RCRA) - Any industrial facility

which generates, processes, treats, disposes, stores, or transports
hazardous or residual wastes must obtain the applicable licenses, permits,
and approvals for such activities from DEP’s Bureau of Land Recycling
and Waste Management (BLRWM).
For further information regarding residual waste permit application and

approval requirements, refer to Chapters 271, 273, 277, 281, 283,
287-289, 291, 293, 295, 297, and 299 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations.
For hazardous waste application and approval requirements, refer to
Chapter 270a. Contact BLRWM at the appropriate regional office.
f. Air Quality Plan and Permit - Since July 1, 1972, anyone planning to
acquire, construct, modify, or reactivate any air pollution source, or install
any air pollution control device must obtain plan approval, unless the
construction, modification, reactivation, or acquisition is specifically
exempt or determined by DEP to be of minor significance.
For further information regarding what permits are required for various activities,
refer to the Guide to DEP Permits and Other Authorizations.
D. Permit Coordination
DEP has established a permit coordination process to ensure that permits or approvals
issued under one environmental program will not conflict with permits or approvals
issued by another program.
Upon receipt of a WQM permit application by the regional offices, the various
environmental programs in the regional offices will be notified and will indicate whether
or not they have an interest in requiring additional permits or approvals for the project.
The applicant will then be notified of any other required permits or approvals.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 8

Depending upon the environmental sensitivity or other concerns related to the project,
DEP may then elect to coordinate issuance of all permits and approvals.
II. Procedures for Obtaining Industrial Wastewater Permits
A. NPDES Permits
1. General Requirements
a. Application Forms - Persons or facilities wishing to obtain an NPDES

permit must file the required number of copies of the appropriate
application form(s) listed in Table 1. Additional forms and supplemental
materials, as specified by DEP must also be included as part of the
application.
Table 1: Application Forms to be Used for NPDES Permits for New or Existing Discharges
Application Number of
Type of Outfall Addressed Form No. Copies *
a. Process Wastewaters (includes contact cooling water), non- 3800-PM-WSWM0008b 3
contact cooling water, miscellaneous wastewaters (boiler,
cooling tower blow down, etc.), or stormwater mixed with any
of the above.
b. Stormwater Only (for industrial activity)
1. Individual Permit Application 3800-PM-WSWM0008b 3
2. Notice of Intent to be covered under General Permit (GP) 3920-PM-WM0024b 3
* An additional copy of the application form and supplemental materials must be submitted for
projects located in Erie and Allegheny Counties or for certain projects located in the
Delaware River Basin.
Requests for confidentiality of information being submitted must comply

with the general requirements of Section 607 of Pennsylvania’s Clean
Streams Law and Chapter 92 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations pertaining
to the NPDES permit program.
Claims for confidentiality must be substantiated at the time of application

and must be so indicated. Information on the application may not be
claimed as confidential. However, the applicant may request
confidentiality for information which goes beyond that required by the
application, except for effluent data, which will not be considered
confidential.
b. Services of Professional Consultants - It is not necessary for the applicant

to obtain a registered professional engineer to prepare the NPDES Permit
Application. However, it may be advantageous, in a more complex
situation, to consider obtaining such services. Often it will be necessary to
obtain a commercial laboratory to perform the required testing.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 9

c. Application Fee - An application fee, in the amount of $500.00, must be
submitted with the Individual NPDES Permit Application. A variable fee
(not to exceed $500.00) specified by the general permit must be submitted
with the Notice of Intent for coverage by an NPDES General Permit.
The check should be made payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”

and should not be more than 10 days old prior to receipt by DEP.
d. Public Newspaper Notification Requirements - Section 307b of the Clean

Streams Law requires that for cases involving a new discharge1 or
previously unpermitted discharge of industrial waste to the waters of the
Commonwealth, the applicant must publish a notice of its intent to apply
for a permit in a newspaper of general circulation, in the locality in which
the industrial facilities are located. This notice must appear once a week
for 4 consecutive weeks. The notice may read as follows:
“NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the (Company name, address, and telephone
number) intends to make application to the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) for a Water Quality Management
Permit for the discharge of industrial wastes in a manner which meets
DEP requirements, from its facility located in (municipality), (county).
This is a (new, existing) discharge of a (temporary, intermittent,
continuous) nature, to (describe location and type of discharge,
including the name of the receiving stream where applicable, and the
method of discharge).
This application is made under the provision of the Clean Streams Law,
the Act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, as amended. Persons desiring
additional information, or who wish to provide comment concerning this
permit application should contact the Company as indicated above, or
DEP at the following address: Regional Water Quality Manager
(appropriate address and telephone number), after (date on which
application will be submitted).”
The notice should be located at or near the top of a right-hand page, as far
forward as possible in the first section of the newspaper.
The notice should appear as a “display” type advertisement. Whenever

possible, it should be set off from the surrounding material by a black
border. The notice should be at least 2 3/4 inches, or two columns, wide
(whichever is greater), and at least 4 inches high.
As part of the NPDES permit application materials, the applicant must

attach acceptable evidence of its fulfillment of the public notification
1
These public notification requirements must also be met for existing dischargers which have significantly changed the
character of their wastes. (Public newspaper notification requirement does not apply to Notice of Intent to be covered
under the Stormwater Discharge General Permit.)
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 10
requirements described above. This evidence may consist of either a
properly notarized “proof of publication,” or clippings of the
advertisement, intact with the datelines of the four required publication
dates.
e. Notification of Municipality and County - Act 14, which amended the

Commonwealth’s Administrative Code (effective April 17, 1984), and
Acts 67, 68, and 127, which amended the Municipalities Planning Code,
requires every applicant for a new, amended or renewed NPDES permit to
give written notice to each municipality and county in which the facility is
located. State agencies may rely upon comprehensive plans and zoning
ordinances under certain conditions described in Sections 619.2 and 1105
of the Municipalities Planning Code. The written notices shall be received
by the municipalities and counties at least 30 days before DEP may issue
or deny the permit. The notification may read as shown in Appendix B.
Submit with your application:
(1) A copy of your correspondence notifying your intentions to the

municipality(ies) and the county(ies) in which the permitted
activity will occur.
(2) Evidence that the municipality(ies) and county(ies) have received

your notification. Acceptable forms of this evidence include,
certified mail receipt, or written acknowledgement of the
notification from the municipality(ies) and county(ies).
Failure to provide a copy of your notification correspondence and

evidence of municipal and county receipt of your notification with the
application will delay processing of your permit. Failure to comply with
Acts 14, 67, 68, and 127 will result in permit denial.
2. Review of NPDES Permit Applications by Regional Water Quality Management

Staff (Figure 1)
a. Initial Acceptance Review - When, upon receipt by the regional office, the
application is found to be properly completed, signed and notarized, and
the supporting data and application fee appear to be complete and
satisfactory, the application will be accepted for review.
If the application is not properly completed or if any of the enclosures are

missing or obviously incomplete, a letter stating the deficiency will be
sent to the applicant. If corrections are not made or acceptable
supplementary data received within the time specified by DEP, the
application may be returned to the applicant without action.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 11

Request Additional Information
from Applicant
Coordinate Technical Prepare Draft Permit and
NO Review of Application Public Notice
Receipt of Examine for Complete Technical - Obtain input from other
Start Application Completeness ? Review sections/bureaus
Materials YES
- Request additional information from
application
Return all Material if Forward Copy to EPA, County - Prepare Protection Report and Other Forward Draft Permit and
Major Deficiencies Health Dept.(2), DRBC(3) Supporting Documentation (i.e. Fact Supporting Documentation
Sheet) to EPA(1), DRBC(3)
Forward Draft Permit and YES Public Hearing Select Time and
Forward Public
Notice to Public Notice Process Place for Hearing
PA Bulletin to Applicant
Prepare Public Notice of

Receive and Evaluate Does Significant
Hearing
Publish Notice in Comments Public Interest Exist?
Pennsylvania Bulletin
NO
Publish Notice in
(If Necessary)
NOTES and Mail to Mailing List
Hold Administrative
(1) For Non-Waived Cases Conference
(2) Erie and Allegheny Counties only
(3) Where DRBC review necessary
Conduct Public Hearing
FIGURE 1
NPDES Final Action on Permit Issuance
Permit Application
PERMIT APPLICATION
REVIEW SEQUENCE Notice of Final Action
Prepare Final Permit Documents Pennsylvania Bulletin
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 12

b. General Basis for Application Reviews - After acceptance of the
application, the regional office staff will review the application and take
appropriate action.
As discussed in Section II.A.3. below, NPDES permit applications are

reviewed from the perspective of protecting water quality in the receiving
stream and of achieving technology-based effluent standards to meet the
requirements of Section 301(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act.
A draft permit will be sent to the applicant for review and comment, and
will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for a 30-day comment
period.
3. Determination of Wastewater Treatment Requirements
The effluent limits developed and included in an NPDES permit may be either
water quality-based or technology-based, or they may be the result of a “best
management practices” approach to controlling or abating a pollution problem, or
a combination of any or all of the above.
The final effluent limits will be based on the more stringent of either the
technology-based or water quality-based considerations.
a. Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits
(1) Water Quality Criteria
Water quality-based effluent limits (WQBEL) are established in

order to attain or maintain a specific degree of water quality in the
receiving stream. Chapter 93 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations sets
forth water quality standards on a stream-by-stream basis, which
include the designated water use(s) to be protected and the
instream water quality criteria for conventional parameters which
are necessary to insure protection of the designated water uses.
Chapter 16 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations sets forth instream
criteria for toxics parameters.
In cases where no numerical criteria exist in Chapter 93 or

Chapter 16 for a particular pollutant, the General Water Quality
Criteria portion of the regulation will apply. Numerical criteria
may be developed based upon the literature or a bioassay, as
appropriate, in accordance with procedures outlined in the
regulation.
These instream water quality criteria are not effluent limitations,

but rather are used to develop effluent limitations based on stream
modeling techniques. Where the waste discharge volume equals or
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 13

exceeds the design low-flow of the receiving stream, the effluent
limitations may be equal to the instream criteria.
(2) “High Quality” or “Exceptional Value” Waters
Situations may arise where an industrial wastewater treatment

facility, or its discharge, is located on a stream which is designated
under “Water Uses Protected” as either “High Quality” or
“Exceptional Value” Waters in Chapter 93 of DEP’s Rules and
Regulations, and special rules apply. See DEP’s Water Quality
Antidegradation Implementation Guidance DEP
(3) “Dry Stream” Discharges
Situations may exist whereby a wastewater discharge is to either

an intermittent stream which is dry during the “dry season,” or to a
stormwater drainage ditch which only has flow during and
immediately following storms.
DEP’s policy regarding discharges to “dry streams” considers the

protection of general water uses as well as stream uses where they
exist downstream of the discharge.
The hydrogeologic conditions in some parts of Pennsylvania are

such that discharges to these essentially “dry streams” will
infiltrate, at least in part, to recharge groundwater. Therefore,
groundwater uses downgradient from the point of discharge may
become the controlling factor, rather than the usual established
stream uses.
In order to implement this policy, an industrial waste discharger

will be required to provide preliminary hydrogeological
information and documentation whenever the proposed discharge
is to a “dry stream” channel. The type of information that will be
required is in DEP’s Implementation Guidance for Evaluating
Wastewater Discharges to Drainage Ditches and Swales DEP
A regional hydrogeologist will review the preliminary information

in consultation with a soil scientist, if necessary. Based upon the
review, it will be determined whether the proposed discharge will
protect groundwater uses. If it is determined that the groundwater
uses will not be protected, the reasons will be indicated, and the
proposed project may then be revised accordingly.
The applicant may be requested to submit additional information if

the hydrogeologist or soil scientist determines that more
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 14
information is necessary before a decision can be made. If
necessary, the applicant may be required to conduct monitoring of
the existing groundwater uses.
If the proposed project cannot be revised to protect both

groundwater and surface water uses, then a permit for a discharge
to the “dry stream” channel will be denied.
(4) Time Extensions to Achieve WQBEL
In certain instances, an existing industrial waste discharger may be

given an extension of time in which to meet WQBEL. DEP, in
accordance with Chapter 95 of its Rules and Regulations, may
grant such time extensions to qualifying dischargers. Refer to
Chapter 95.4 for more information.
(5) Additional Information
Further information regarding NPDES permit effluent limitation

development can be obtained by referring to:
• Toxics Management Strategy DEP ID: 361-0100-003,

available on DEP’s website
• DEP Rules and Regulations Chapter 16
• EPA’s Technical Support Document for Water Quality-Based

Toxics Control
• Technical Reference Guide PENTOXSD for Windows

Pennsylvania Single Discharge Wasteload Allocation Program
for Toxics Version 1.0a DEP ID: 391-2000-011 as amended,
available on DEP’s website
• Implementation Guidance for the Determination and Use of

Background/Ambient Water Quality in the Determination of
Wasteload Allocations and NPDES Effluent Limitations for
Toxic Substances DEP ID: 391-2000-022, available on DEP’s
website
• Technical Guidance for the Development and Specification of

Effluent Limitations and Other Permit Conditions in NPDES
Permits DEP ID: 362-0400-001, available on DEP’s website
• Permitting Policy and Procedure Manual DEP

ID: 362-2000-001, available on DEP’s website
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 15

b. Technology-Based Effluent Limits
Technology-based effluent limits are requirements under Section 301 of

the Federal Clean Water Act, which represent the minimum level of
control that must be achieved by industrial dischargers. These levels of
control are based on “Best Practical Control Technology Currently
Available” (BPT), “Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology”
(BCT), and “Best Available Technology Economically Achievable”
(BAT). EPA has developed these standards for a wide variety of
industrial categories and their respective subcategories. These standards
can be found in 40 CFR Subchapter N (Parts 401-471).
c. Best Management Practices
For some types of discharge situations, it is impractical or infeasible to

establish numerical effluent limits. In cases such as these, a Best
Management Practices (BMP) approach may be the only way of
reasonably controlling the discharge. Section 304(e) of the 1977 Clean
Water Act authorizes such BMPs and provides for their incorporation into
permits.
Examples of when numeric effluent limitations are infeasible include:
(1) Regulating a pollutant for which limited treatability or aquatic

impact information are available to allow development of
technology-based or water quality-based effluent limits.
(2) Regulatory releases when the types of pollutants vary greatly over
time.
Other circumstances when BMPs could be imposed include:
(1) When chemical analyses are inappropriate or impossible.
(2) When a complex facility lacks toxic pollutant data.
(3) When other discharge control options are prohibitively expensive.
Practices such as monitoring or routine inspections, preventative

maintenance, and good housekeeping measures, as well as actual
treatment facilities, are recognized as acceptable BMPs. Additional
information on BMPs can be found in EPA’s Guidance Manual for
Developing Best Management Practices (BMP) EPA Publication
Number 833-B-93-004 available at
www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/owm0274.pdf .
BMPs will be incorporated into NPDES Permits on a case-by-case basis.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 16

4. Transfers, Amendments, Termination, and Revocation and Reissuance of NPDES
Permits
a. Transfer of Permits
An NPDES permit may be transferred from one owner/operator to another

owner/operator provided that the treatment facilities are the same and that
neither the quantity nor quality of the discharge from that facility has
changed from that originally permitted.
If the proposed transfer will involve a change in wastewater discharge’s

character, the new owner/operator must submit a new Application for
NPDES Permit for Industrial Dischargers (3800-PM-WSWM0008b),
available on DEP’s website, and the appropriate filing fee.
At least 30 days prior to the change in ownership or control, the permittee

should notify DEP by submission of a completed Application for NPDES
or WQM Permit Transfer (3800-PM-WSWM0041b), available on DEP’s
website, of the pending change and request a permit transfer. If so
specified in a general permit, a letter may be submitted in lieu of the
transfer application. The letter should be accompanied by a written
agreement between the existing permittee and the new owner or operator,
stating that the existing permittee will be liable for violations of the permit
up to the date of permit transfer and that the new owner or operator will be
liable for permit violations from that date on. No fee is normally required
for the transfer of NPDES permits.
After receipt of the above documentation, DEP will notify the existing
permittee and the new owner or operator of its decision concerning
approval of transfer.
If the facility is not in compliance at the time of transfer, the new

owner/operator will be liable for any violations. A schedule leading to
compliance will normally be required prior to the transfer of the permits.
If the facility also possesses a WQM permit, the proposed transfer of both
permits should be completed simultaneously.
b. Amendments to Permits
An NPDES permit may be amended by DEP for any of the following

reasons:
(1) If the permittee desires to expand or change production which will

significantly increase the flow or change the wastewater’s
characteristics.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 17

(2) If any new information is received which indicates that the
cumulative effects of a particular pollutant parameter listed in the
existing permit are unacceptable.
(3) If the standards or regulations on which the existing permit is

based are amended.
(4) If the permittee is eligible for a variance or time extension under

the CWA.
(5) To incorporate any toxic effluent standard, technology-based

treatment requirement, net effluent limitations, or to modify any
compliance schedule.
(6) If required by a reopener clause in the existing permit.
For “major” amendments, if the regional office decides to modify a

permit, or if it receives a request from the permittee for such an
amendment, a draft permit will be prepared and the normal issuance
procedures (i.e., publication, comment period, etc.) are followed. For
cases involving an “applicant initiated” major amendment, a new permit
fee is required.
An NPDES permit may also be modified or corrected to allow for “minor”

changes. These “minor amendments” may be used to correct
typographical errors, require more frequent monitoring or reporting by the
permittee, change an interim compliance date (by no more than 120 days),
allow for change in ownership, or delete a point source outfall from which
a discharge is terminated. Such minor modifications do not normally
require a fee, draft permit, or public notice and comment period.
c. Revocation and Reissuance of Permits
An NPDES permit may be revoked and then reissued for one or more of
the reasons listed in Section b. above, or if a cause listed in Section d.
below exists for termination of the permit, and it has been determined that
revocation and reissuance is appropriate.
In cases such as these, the entire permit is reopened and is subject to

revision. The revised permit is then prepared as a draft permit and is
processed according to normal issuance procedures. The permit is then
reissued for a new term.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 18

d. Termination of Permits
An NPDES permit may be terminated during its term for the following
reasons:
(1) Noncompliance by the permittee with any condition of the permit.
(2) The failure of the applicant to disclose fully all relevant facts
during the application or issuance process, or the misrepresentation
of any relevant facts at any time.
(3) If a determination that the permitted activity endangers human

health or the environment.
(4) If a change in any condition requires either a temporary or a

permanent reduction or elimination of the discharge.
e. Renewal of Permits
All NPDES Permits have a fixed term which may not exceed 5 years. At
least 180 days prior to the expiration of the permit, the permittee must
submit a renewal application along with the application fee to the
appropriate regional office. Should the permit expire prior to issuance of
the new permit through no fault of the permittee, the terms and conditions
of the expired permit may be extended, provided that a proper renewal
application has been submitted in a timely manner.
B. WQM Permits
1. General Requirements
a. Application Form - Persons or facilities wishing to obtain a WQM permit

must file three copies of the Water Quality Management Permit
Application form (3800-PM-WSWM0400b), available on DEP’s website,
and applicable design modules. An additional copy of the application
form and supplemental materials must be submitted for projects located in
Erie and Allegheny Counties. Certain projects located in the Delaware
River Basin must submit an additional copy of the application form and
supplemental materials to the regional office to be forwarded to DRBC for
review. Additional forms and supplemental materials as specified by
DEP, must also be included as part of the application.
b. Application Fee - An application fee, in the amount of $500.00, must be

submitted with the WQM Permit Application. The check should be made
payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and should not be more than
10 days old prior to receipt by DEP. The application fee is not required of
agencies of the Commonwealth.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 19

c. Requirements for Utilizing the Services of a Registered Professional
Engineer
(1) General - Any person or facility wishing to obtain a WQM permit

must use the services of a registered professional engineer, legally
qualified to practice in Pennsylvania and competent in the design
of industrial wastewater treatment facilities. The Design
Engineer’s Report (see Appendix A), plans, drawings, and other
reports or technical documents must bear the seal and signature of
the registered professional engineer.
By signing the report and application, the engineer is certifying

that under penalty of law, the information he/she is providing in
this certification is true, accurate, and complete. He/she is aware
that there are significant civil and criminal penalties for submitting
false, inaccurate, or incomplete information, including fines and/or
imprisonment.
Furthermore, he/she is certifying that implementation of this report

will, in his/her professional opinion as a licensed professional
engineer, ensure that operation of the treatment facility will result
in a treated effluent that will meet or exceed the NPDES permit
limitation for the discharge.
(2) Preliminary Conference - Prior to preparation and submittal of a

WQM permit application, it is recommended (particularly for
complex situations) that the applicant and/or design engineer
arrange a preliminary conference with the applicable regional
office of Water Quality Management to discuss the requirements
of DEP pertaining to effluent limitations, facilities, design, etc.
d. Public Newspaper Notification Requirements for Projects Involving Land

Application
For projects which involve actual discharges to groundwater via land

application of industrial waste (such as spray irrigation or underground
injection), Section 307 of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law requires that
for cases involving a new industrial waste discharge2 or previously
unpermitted discharge to the waters of the Commonwealth (i.e.,
groundwater in these cases), the applicant must publish a notice of its
intent to apply for a WQM permit in a newspaper of general circulation in
the locality in which the industrial facilities are located. This notice must
appear once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The notice may read as
follows:
2
These public notification requirements must also be met for those permitted (existing) industrial waste dischargers which
have significantly changed the character of their wastes.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 20
“NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the (Company name, address, and

telephone number) intends to make application to the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) for a Water Quality Management
Permit for the discharge of industrial wastes in a manner which meet
DEP requirements, from its facility located in (municipality), (county).
This is a (new, existing) discharge of a (temporary, intermittent,
continuous) nature, to (describe location and type of discharge,
including the name of the receiving stream where applicable, and the
method of discharge - such as spray irrigation - where appropriate).
This application is made under the provisions of the Clean Streams

Law, the Act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, as amended. Persons
desiring additional information, or who wish to provide comment
concerning this permit application should contact the Company as
indicated above, or DEP at the following address: Regional Water
Quality Manager (appropriate address and telephone number), after
(date on which application will be submitted).”
The notice should be located at or near the top of a right-hand page, as far
forward as possible in the first section of the newspaper.
The notice should appear as a “display” type advertisement. Whenever

possible, it should be set off from the surrounding material by a black
border. The notice should be at least 2 3/4 inches, or two columns, wide
(whichever is greater), and at least 4 inches high.
As part of the WQM permit application materials, the applicant must

attach acceptable evidence of its fulfillment of the public notification
requirements described above. This evidence may consist of either a
properly notarized “proof of publication,” or clippings of the
advertisement, intact with the datelines of the four required publication
dates.
No public notification is required for WQM permits approving the

operation, maintenance, or use of surface impoundments which do not
have a discharge to waters of the Commonwealth.
e. Notification of Municipality and County - Act 14, which amended the

Commonwealth’s Administrative Code (effective April 17, 1984), and
Acts 67, 68, and 127, which amended the Municipalities Planning Code,
requires every applicant for a new, amended, or renewed WQM permit to
give written notice to each municipality and county in which the facility is
located. State agencies may rely upon comprehensive plans and zoning
ordinances under certain conditions described in Sections 619.2 and 1105
of the Municipalities Planning Code. The written notices shall be received
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 21

by the municipalities and counties at least 30 days before DEP may issue
or deny the permit. The notification may read as shown in Appendix B.
Submit with your application:
(1) A copy of your correspondence notifying your intentions to the

municipality(ies) and the county(ies) in which the permitted
activity will occur.
(2) Evidence that the municipality(ies) and county(ies) have received

your notification. Acceptable forms of this evidence include certified
mail receipt, or written acknowledgement of the notification from the
municipality(ies) and the county(ies).
Failure to provide a copy of your notification correspondence and

evidence of municipal and county receipt of your notification with the
application will delay processing of your permit. Failure to comply with
Acts 14, 67, 68, and 127 will result in permit denial.
2. Review of WQM Permit Applications by the Regional Water Quality

Management Staff
a. Initial Acceptance Review - After receipt by the regional office, once the
application is found to be properly completed, signed, and notarized, and
the supporting data and check or money order appear to be complete and
satisfactory, the application will be accepted for review.
If the application is not properly completed or if any of the enclosures are

missing or obviously incomplete, a letter stating the deficiency will be
sent to the applicant with a copy to his engineer. If corrections are not
made or acceptable supplementary data received within the time specified
by DEP, the application and supplemental information will be returned to
the applicant without action.
b. General Basis for Application Reviews - After acceptance of the

application, the regional office staff will review the application materials
and take appropriate action. WQM permit applications are reviewed from
a functional point of view to assure the suitability and adequacy of the
existing or proposed treatment works to control or eliminate pollution, and
to assure that the treatment units will operate reliably under present or
future conditions. Matters of structural design and mechanical, electrical,
and other details are of interest to DEP only to the extent that they directly
affect the functioning of the treatment process. If, however, a Hazardous
Waste permit is required for these same treatment facilities, the structural
design, construction, and operation will be reviewed for compliance with
applicable DEP regulations.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 22

The permit application review will mainly concentrate on the Design
Engineer’s Report, as discussed in Appendix A. The permit review staff
will not necessarily check all details of the design computations and will
largely rely upon the statements of the design engineer. Therefore, it is
essential that the same information appearing at different places in the
application documents be consistent and correct.
DEP will consider the registered professional engineer whose seal is

affixed to facility design documents to be fully responsible for the
adequacy of all aspects of the facility design and compliance with the state
standards and requirements.
Staff limitation does not permit detailed comments as such on applications

with a large number of deficiencies. As discussed in subparagraph a.,
above, such applications will be returned to the applicant without a
detailed commentary. In most cases, if the application satisfies
established requirements and standards, the permit will be issued.
c. Preliminary Design Considerations
(1) General
As discussed above, it is recommended that the applicant and/or

design engineer arrange a preliminary conference with the
appropriate regional office. This preliminary conference should be
used by the applicant to discuss any details of the WQM permit
application which may need special consideration. A preliminary
design and any associated information provided by the applicant
and/or the design engineer at this time may help answer any
questions the review engineer may have, and ultimately facilitate
the processing of the permit application.
(2) Preliminary Hydrogeologic Review
In cases involving review of hydrogeologic conditions (such as

land application of wastewater via spray irrigation or subsurface
injection), the applicant will be required to submit the following
preliminary hydrogeologic information for review prior to
submittal of a formal WQM permit application for the project:
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 23

(a) Topographic location of the discharge including latitude
and longitude, geologic quadrangle, and major drainage
basin.
(b) Land application rate (inches/acre/day) and concentrations

of waste constituents (mg/l).
(c) Estimated infiltration rate to groundwater during various

times of the year.
(d) Expected degree of renovation during infiltration (based on

soil conditions, type of discharge, etc.).
(e) Estimated area of impacted groundwater. This should

include a discussion on the wastewater dispersion plume
and mixing zone within the dispersion plume, the depth and
direction of the gradient, and other physical attributes of
the plume’s movement.
(f) Identification of any existing or potential groundwater uses

in the area of impact.
For projects involving deep-well injection, refer to the EPA’s

Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program and 40 CFR 144.
A regional hydrogeologist will review the preliminary information

in consultation with a soil scientist, if necessary. Based upon the
review, it will be determined whether the proposed discharge will
protect groundwater uses. If it is determined that groundwater
uses will not be protected, the reasons will be indicated and the
proposed project may then be revised accordingly.
Based on the preliminary review, as part of the Design Engineer’s

Report, the applicant may be requested to submit supplemental
groundwater, soils, and geology information if the hydrogeologist
determines that more information is necessary before a decision
can be made. If necessary, the applicant may be required to
conduct monitoring of the existing groundwater uses prior to
formal permit application submittal.
(3) Design of Impoundments for Storage or Treatment of Residual

Wastes
Impoundments that are to store or treat residual wastes3 shall be

designed, constructed, and operated according to Title 25 Pa. Code
Chapter 299 Subchapter A (Standards for Storage of Residual
3
As defined by Title 25 Pa. Code Chapter 287.1.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 24
Waste). This requirement is subject to the exemptions and
conditions listed in Title 25 Pa. Code Chapters 287.2, 287.101, and
299.141.
d. Application Review Time Frame
Although not as administratively complex as the NPDES permit program

(see Figure 2), a 60- to 120-day time period should be anticipated for
review of WQM permit applications and permit issuance. If review by a
river basin commission or county health department is required, an
additional 30 days may be involved. The above time frame may be
shortened considerably through proper attention on the part of the
applicant and/or the design engineer to the accuracy and adequacy of
technical detail, and the consistency of information submitted in support
of this application.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 25

Request Additional
Information from
Applicant Coordinate Technical Review
NO of Application
_____________
Receipt of
Start Application Examine for Complete Technical - Obtain input from other
Materials Completeness ? YES Review bureaus
- Request additional
information from application
Return all Material if

Major Deficiencies
Receive and Evaluate
Comments
Forward Copy of Pertinent

Application Materials to:
Publish Notice in YES
- Pa. Fish Commission Does Significant Public
Pennsylvania Bulletin Interest Exist?
- River Basin Commission of Application Receipt
- County Health Department
NO
Final Action on Permit

Application
Public Hearing Process

Hold Administrative Conference Prepare Final Permit
Documents
Select Time and Place

for Hearing
Permit Issuance
Prepare Public Notice of

Hearing
Notice of Final Action
Publish Notice in Pennsylvania FIGURE 2

Bulletin and Mail to Mailing
List WQM
PERMIT APPLICATION
Conduct Public Hearing

REVIEW SEQUENCE
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 26

3. Procedures for Obtaining Experimental WQM Permits
a. General Information - An industrial discharger which proposes to utilize a

new or unconventional treatment process(es), for which no full-scale
operational data is available, may apply to DEP for an “experimental
permit.” A reasonable basis or justification must be presented for the
proposed design, and should be thoroughly described in the Design
Engineer’s Report.
b. Duration of Experimental Permits - The permit will be normally issued for

an experimental period having a duration not exceeding 18 months
(included to provide adequate opportunity to demonstrate operational
efficiency and reliability over a representative range of operating
conditions), during which time the permittee will submit periodic reports
on the operational and discharge characteristics of the process(es), as
specified by DEP. The permittee must also insure that the failure of the
experimental process(es) will not result in serious pollution or a hazard to
public health.
Generally, no more than one experimental permit for the same treatment
method will be issued during the experimental period.
4. Transfers, Amendments, and Termination of WQM Permits
a. Transfer of Permits - A WQM permit may be transferred from one

owner/operator to another owner/operator provided that the treatment
facilities are the same and that neither the quantity nor quality of the
discharge from that facility has changed from that originally permitted.
If the proposed transfer will involve a change in the treatment plant’s unit
processes (i.e., upgrading treatment processes, etc.), the new
owner/operator must submit a new WQM permit application indicating the
changes and the appropriate filing fee.
At least 30 days prior to the change in ownership or control the permittee

should notify DEP of the pending change by submitting a completed
Application for NPDES or WQM Permit Transfer
(3800-PM-WSWM0041b). No fee is normally required for the transfer of
WQM permits.
After receipt of the above documentation, DEP will notify the existing
permittee and the new owner or operator of its decision concerning
approval of transfer.
If the facility also possesses an NPDES permit, the proposed transfer of

both permits should be completed simultaneously.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 27

If the facility is not in compliance at the time of transfer, the new
owner/operator may be liable for any violations. A schedule leading to
compliance will normally be required prior to the transfer of the permits.
b. Amendments to Permits - A WQM permit may be amended by DEP for

various reasons. Any physical changes to the treatment facilities (which
add or delete unit processes) as a result of changes in
(1) the volume of wastewater to be treated, or
(2) the effluent quality requirements
require submittal of a new WQM permit application and filing fee.
Other types of modifications or “corrections” not requiring a new permit

application may be requested, in writing, from the appropriate regional
office. No fee is required for these types of modifications.
c. Termination and Revocation of Permits - A WQM permit may be

terminated or revoked for projects which have either not been constructed
or have not been constructed in accordance to the submitted application,
designs, or plans. A revoked permit cannot be reinstated.
d. Cancellation of Permits - A WQM permit may be canceled upon request

of the permittee, except in cases where the cancellation would relieve the
permittee of responsibility in correcting existing or possible future
violations at facilities covered by the permit.
A letter requesting such an action should be sent to the appropriate

regional office. Upon receipt of this written request, the regional office
will notify the permittee indicating the cancellation. The canceled permit
should then be returned to DEP.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 28

APPENDIX A
GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE DESIGN ENGINEER’S REPORT
A Professional Engineer, registered in Pennsylvania, and competent in the field of industrial wastewater
treatment, must prepare a Design Engineer’s Report as part of the WQM permit application. This
Appendix describes the type of information that should be considered both before and during the
preparation of such a report.
Figure 3 outlines the general sequence of items to be included in the Design Engineer’s Report.
FIGURE 3
GENERAL OUTLINE OF DESIGN ENGINEER’S REPORT
Title
Preparer
Date of Preparation
Table of Contents
I. General Information
A. Facility Status
B. General Facility Layout Diagram
C. General Project Description
D. Schematic of Water/Wastewater Flow
E. Treatment Facility Size, Capacity, & Dimension Diagram
II. Detailed Description of Existing and Proposed Wastewater Treatment Processes
A. Basis for Design of Individual Treatment Unit Processes

B. Supplemental Chemical Addition or Treatment (if Applicable)
C. Pumping Equipment (if Applicable)
D. Monitoring and Control Equipment
E. Handling, Conditioning, and Storage of Residual Materials
III. Operational Flexibility and Reliability of Treatment Systems
A. Alarms and Sensing Devices

B. Control of the Quantity and Quality of Wastewater When the Treatment System is
Inoperative
C. Personnel Training
D. Availability of Instructions and Guidelines for the Operation and Maintenance of
Treatment Units
E. Site Security
IV. Preliminary and Supplemental Groundwater, Soils, and Geology Information
(If Applicable)
V. Appendices Containing Supporting Information (i.e., Maps, Charts, Literature, etc.) Which Have
Been Referenced in the Report
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 29

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE DESIGN ENGINEER’S REPORT
I. General Information - The Design Engineer’s Report should be concise, however, it should
completely cover the type of information and the level of detail listed below so that clarity is not
sacrificed.
Prior to any detailed description of the proposed or existing treatment unit process(es), the
Design Engineer should briefly discuss the following topics:
A. Facility Status
A brief narrative summary should be prepared which describes the relationship between
the:
• consumption of raw materials and/or the manufacture of products;
• associated water uses within the facility; and
• the volume, nature, and strength of the wastewater to be treated.
The above summary should include a description of each industrial operation and the
special types and quantities of the raw materials involved and/or the products which
result.
Any anticipated variability or change in these industrial operations or their associated

usage of raw materials and levels of production should also be briefly discussed. Any
relationships between water uses and wastewater production should also be discussed.
For facilities which have an NPDES permit, some of this information may already have
been presented as part of the NPDES permit application, in which case, an appropriate
cross reference should be made to that portion of the NPDES application in conjunction
with the narrative description.
Requests for confidentiality of information being submitted must comply with the
General Requirements of Section 607 of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law and
Chapter 92 of DEP’s Rules and Regulations pertaining to the NPDES permit program.
B. General Facility Layout Diagram
Plans or sketches showing the general layout of the industrial facility and the wastewater
treatment works (existing & proposed), should be included as part of the Design
Engineer’s Report. The location of protective fencing and other site security measures
should also be indicated on this diagram.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 30

C. General Project Description
1. Wastewater Treatment Facilities
A brief narrative summary should be prepared which first describes any existing
wastewater treatment facilities currently being used. This part of the summary
should be brief but should describe such items as volume, wastewater flow pattern
(continuous, batch, etc.), and the existing degree of treatment being provided.
The narrative should then describe the proposed wastewater treatment system,
and the reasons for considering such a system (i.e., improved treatment efficiency,
less operation and maintenance, etc.).
This narrative should also describe: a sequence of construction which includes

any provisions for maintaining treatment efficiency and protecting water quality
during construction, should it be necessary to remove existing treatment units
from operation; the anticipated time-table for completing the proposed project;
and a discussion on provisions for future treatment system expansion to meet any
anticipated changes in wastewater quantity or quality.
In addition to these narrative descriptions, information on existing and proposed

treatment units should be summarized as part of the application package.
2. Wastewater Characteristics
Information on the characteristics of the wastewater to be treated should be

summarized as part of the application package. This includes characteristics of
untreated wastewater, quality of effluent from existing treatment facilities, and the
expected quality of effluent from new or modified treatment facilities.
Additional narrative discussion should be provided, as considered necessary, to

further clarify any of the information presented in the application.
D. Schematic of Water/Wastewater Flow
An 8½” x 11” Schematic Wastewater Flow Diagram should be included in this portion of
the Design Engineer’s Report and should show the following information:
1. Source(s) of water intake and wastewater generation.
2. A water balance showing average water and wastewater flows between the
intake(s) and the point(s) of discharge.
3. Existing and proposed treatment facilities and the functional relationship between
treatment units.
4. Piping arrangements, location of pumps, and other flow controlling devices.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 31

5. Location of overflows and bypasses.
6. Location of other related equipment.
E. Treatment Facility Size, Capacity, & Dimension Diagram
Another diagram should be included which indicates the size, capacity, and dimensions
of each treatment unit. The plans should also show the relative location of the industrial
establishment, the waste treatment works, and the discharge point relative to the location
of the receiving stream. These plans should be no larger than 36” x 50”.
II. Detailed Description of Existing and Proposed Wastewater Treatment Processes
This portion of the Design Engineer’s Report should contain a concise narrative summary of
each new, modified, or “upgraded” industrial wastewater treatment unit process, and of any
existing wastewater treatment unit process(es) which will continue to be used.
A. Basis for the Design of Individual Treatment Unit Processes
This summary should briefly describe the function each unit process will provide,
including all of the basic assumptions and rationale used in its design. The narrative
should clearly identify all key process design parameters including the appropriate
calculations.
This portion of the Design Engineer’s Report should also discuss the treatment system’s
ability to meet the established effluent limitations. The discussion should include (if
possible) the expected removal rates of each unit process and any factors which may
affect its performance or operational efficiency (i.e., temperature, toxics, etc.). These
expected levels of treatment may be based on literature reviews, bench scale tests or pilot
plants, or on the performance of similar treatment facilities.
Manufacturer’s literature, line drawings, or specifications may also be submitted if

considered appropriate. These additional sources of information should be referenced in
the narrative portion of the Design Engineer’s Report.
B. Supplemental Chemical Addition or Treatment
If supplemental chemical addition or specific chemical treatment is used in conjunction

with any of the wastewater treatment unit processes or in conjunction with conditioning
of waste treatment residual materials, the types of chemicals used, the dosage rates (in
lbs. or gals. per day), the points of application, and the feeder equipment used should be
described. These items should also be shown on the water/wastewater flow diagram as
described in I.D. above. As will be discussed later, under item D. below, the type of
monitoring and control equipment associated with the use of chemical treatment should
also be discussed and shown either on the water/wastewater flow diagram or on a
separate “Meter-Location” diagram, if necessary.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 32

Any control measures, safety precautions, etc., which are associated with chemical
treatment, should be addressed in the facility’s PPC Plan.
C. Pumping Equipment
The Design Engineer’s Report should describe any pumping equipment that may be used
as part of the treatment facilities. This description should include the type of pump, and
where and for what purpose it will be used, along with its rated capacity.
In situations where a relatively large number of pumps are used, a table may be used to
facilitate the above description. The location of the pumping equipment should also be
shown on the water/wastewater flow diagram as describe above in I.D.
D. Monitoring and Control Equipment
The Design Engineer’s Report should briefly discuss the industrial wastewater treatment
facility’s monitoring and control equipment and how it is applied at each particular point
in the facility’s treatment scheme. The discussion should indicate the point of
application, the type of monitoring and recording or control device (e.g., Venturi Meter
with Chart Totalizer), and the purpose of application. A chart and a diagram may be used
in lieu of a narrative description.
E. Handling, Conditioning, and Storage of Residual Materials
The Design Engineer’s Report should discuss the provisions for handling, conditioning,
and storage of all residual materials generated as a result of the industrial wastewater
treatment process. This discussion should include the chemical nature and the quantity of
the residuals produced, and the particular method or technique used in their handling,
conditioning, and storage.
A discussion should also be included which covers the handling of liquids (i.e., filtrate,
supernatant, centrate, etc.) which are generated during the handling, storage, and
conditioning process. This discussion should cover the quantities and strengths of these
liquids and the methods of their final disposal and/or utilization.
This portion of the Design Engineer’s Report should describe any Hazardous Waste or
Solid Waste Management Permits which may have been obtained, or applied for, as a
result of the above mentioned residuals handling procedures. The discussion should
include the type of permit, permit number, and the dates of issuance and expiration.
III. Operation Flexibility and Reliability of Treatment Systems
The Design Engineer’s Report should contain a narrative summary which describes the
provisions for assuring the operational flexibility and the reliability of the industrial waste
treatment facilities. This narrative should discuss the following areas:
A. Alarms and Sensing Devices
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 33

As indicated in Section II.D. above, attention should be given to the types and locations
of all alarms and sensing devices which are used to monitor normal operating conditions
such as liquid levels, pressures, temperatures, etc. This discussion should also address
the procedures for responding to these alarms.
B. Control of the Quantity and Quality of Wastewater When the Treatment System is
Inoperative
This portion of the Design Engineer’s Report should include a discussion on the
procedures which will be used by the facility to control the quantity and quality of the
wastewater discharge in the event that the treatment facility is inoperative, either because
of routine maintenance or equipment failure. This discussion should include a
description of any in-plant control measures that may be taken, such as the bypassing of
treatment units, or the alteration or cessation of selected production operations. If
bypassing of treatment units is an option, the narrative should list the method of bypass,
the quantity and quality of the wastewater, and the expected effects (if any) the
wastewater will have on the receiving stream or groundwater.
The narrative should also include a discussion of any provisions for standby or backup
systems, such as alternative electrical service, duplicate treatment units, or storage
facilities. This is especially important during the construction phase of the facility. To
assist in determining what standby provisions are needed, the electric utility providing
services to the facility should be consulted to determine the past frequency and extent of
electric power outages within the local service area.
C. Personnel Training
The Design Engineer’s Report should describe the provisions a facility has regarding the
training given to personnel which will enable them to understand the treatment processes
and prepare them for proper operation and maintenance, and any emergency situation that
may occur.
The discussion should address the structure of the training program, a reasonable time-
frame for its completion, and any provisions for updating the scope of the program.
D. Availability of Instructions and Guidelines for the Operation and Maintenance of

Treatment Units
The Design Engineer’s Report should briefly describe the availability of an instructions
and guidelines document for the proper operations and maintenance of the treatment
facility.
This document may coincide with the facilities personnel training program and should
address such items as inspections, monitoring, preventative maintenance, and good
housekeeping practices, along with the areas of emergency response discussed in
Section (3) above.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 34

This guideline document should not be included in the Design Engineer’s Report, but it
should be available at the facility for general use.
E. Site Security
The Design Engineer’s Report should address security measures employed at the
wastewater treatment facility.
The appropriate sections of the Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency Plan prepared
for the facility may be cross referenced for any area pertaining to such security measures
in lieu of a detailed narrative answer to this Section (E).
IV. Preliminary and Supplemental Groundwater, Soils, and Geology Information
As part of the WQM permit application materials, the Design Engineer’s Report may provide
supplemental information for those projects which require hydrogeologic review.
The exact nature and level of detail of this groundwater, soils, and geology information will be
specified ahead of time by the regional office of Water Quality Management. This information
must be prepared by a person(s) knowledgeable in the fields of soil science, geology, and
hydrogeology.
V. Appendices Containing Supporting Information (i.e., Maps, Charts, Literature, etc.)

Which Have Been Referenced in the Report
As part of the permit application materials, the Design Engineer’s Report may reference maps,
charts, literature or other information. This supporting information should be attached to the
report as appendices and listed in this section.
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 35

APPENDIX B
NOTIFICATION LETTER
Dear (Municipal Secretary:) or

Dear (County Commissioners:)
The purpose of this notice is to inform you of intent to submit an application to the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the following:
Permit Application Type:
Application Contact:
Project Location:
Project Description:
DEP Contact Information: (DEP Regional Office and address)
Acts 67 and 68 of 2000, which amended the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), direct state
agencies to consider comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances when reviewing applications for
permitting of facilities or infrastructure, and specify that state agencies may rely upon comprehensive
plans and zoning ordinances under certain conditions as described in Sections 619.2 and 1105 of the
MPC.
Enclosed is a General Information Form (GIF) completed for this project. Please review the
enclosed GIF for the accuracy of answers provided with regard to land use aspects of this project; please
be specific and focus on relationship to zoning ordinances. If you wish to submit comments for a land
use review of this project, you must respond within 30 days to the DEP Regional Office referenced in
this letter. If there are no land use comments received by the end of the comment period, DEP will
assume that there are no substantive land use conflicts and proceed with the normal application review
process.
This letter serves as your notification of (Company Name) intent to submit an application to DEP
as required by Act 14, which amended the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Administrative Code and
Acts 67, 68, and 127, which amended the Commonwealth’s Municipalities Planning Code.
Sincerely,
(Name)
Enclosure
362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 36

Industrial Wastewater Management

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Industrial Wastewater Management

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Industrial Wastewater Management

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

A Guide to Requirements and Procedures

DOCUMENT NUMBER: 362-0300-004

TITLE: Industrial Wastewater Management

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1997

APPLICABILITY: The guidance document applies to the permitting of industrial wastewater

The policies and procedures herein are not an adjudication or a regulation.

PAGE LENGTH: 41 pages

LOCATION: Volume 33, Tab 01

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page i

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page ii

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page iv

A. Applicable Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Industrial Wastewater Management

1. Federal Water Quality Act (1987)

a. to eliminate the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters by 1985;

b. attainment of an “interim goal of water quality which provides for the

The statement of policy includes:

a. the prohibition of discharges of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts;

b. a major research and demonstration effort be made to develop technology

Section 301 of the Act establishes requirements for minimum degrees of

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 1

2. Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law

3. DEP’s Rules and Regulations Which Deal with Industrial Wastewater

b. Chapter 91 - This chapter sets forth general provisions for administration

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 2

c. Chapter 92 - This chapter sets forth the provisions for administration of

e. Chapter 94 - This chapter sets forth provisions for municipalities to

f. Chapter 95 - This chapter sets forth basic wastewater treatment

4. DEP’s Rules and Regulations Which Deal with Coal Mining

Coal mining activities in Pennsylvania which involve anthracite and bituminous

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 3

5. The Continuing Planning Process

B. Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management

The Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management (BWSWM) is organized

The central office of BWSWM, in Harrisburg, is responsible for providing overall

C. Required Permits and Approvals for Industrial Wastewater Dischargers

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania received delegation of the NPDES Permit Program

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 4

The purpose of this permit is to establish appropriate effluent limitations,

Certain activities within Pennsylvania are not required to obtain an NPDES

a. Closed systems, where there is no discharge of industrial wastes from the

b. Industrial waste pretreatment facilities, which discharge to Publicly

c. Nonpoint source agricultural and silviculture activities including runoff

d. Return flows from agricultural irrigation.

e. Discharge to groundwater of the Commonwealth (i.e., spray irrigation,

2. Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 5

a. Closed systems, where there is no discharge of industrial wastes from the

b. Industrial waste pretreatment facilities which discharge into a POTW are

c. Storage and land application of animal manure from concentrated animal

d. Groundwater cleanup treatment facilities using demonstrated remediation

e. Impoundments constructed for the detention/settling of stormwater.

3. Other Permits and Approvals

a. Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan - All industrial

362-0300-004 / December 11, 2003 / Page 6

For additional information regarding the contents and requirements of an

c. Headwall/Outfall and Other Encroachment Permit - Any persons planning

Any state or local government agency or public utility working in a

For additional information regarding Headwall/Outfall and Other