Water Quality-Based Permitting
Publications

• Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) NPDES Spreadsheet

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

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

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


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


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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

Suggested approach for including permit limits for asbestos.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/15/1976



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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


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

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


• Clarification Document (PDF) (86KB)



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

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



• Consolidated Permit Regulations (PDF) (338KB)

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



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

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



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

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



• De Minimis Discharges Study: Report to Congress (PDF) (12,102KB)

Determines point source discharges into navigable waters that are not significant and to determine effective and appropriate methods of regulating such discharges (EPA 440-4-91-002).
Document Type: Program Status Reports
Date Published: 11/01/1991



• Detection Limits for Total Residual Chlorine

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

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

(This file is not currently available for download)


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

Provides guidance on when compliance with Individual Control Strategies is required.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 03/28/1991



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

EPA's authority to develop sediment criteria.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/25/1984



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

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



• Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Testing and Instream Community Response on the Ottawa River, Lima, Ohio (PDF) (6,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 08/01/1984



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

Policy statement communicating EPA policy on effluent trading.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 01/01/1996



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

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



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

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



• Errata for the Effluent and Receiving Water Toxicity Testing Manuals (PDF) (59KB)

Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms; Short-Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters. EPA-600/R-98/182
Document Type: Technical and Issue Papers
Date Published: 01/01/1999



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

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




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

Table of Contents only.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 03/01/1988



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

Policy attempts to address all pollution problems within a watershed.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 08/13/1991



• Final Section 304(l) Implementation Guidance

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


• Guidance (PDF) (5,000KB)



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

Memorandum explaining the Office of Water approach for implementing a watershed approach.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/28/1991



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

Section 402(o) of CWA establishes anti-backsliding rules governing two situations.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: Unknown



• Intermittent Streams (PDF) (106KB)

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



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

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



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

Letter recognizing the distinction between maximum daily discharge limitations and instantaneous maximum limitations.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/23/1998



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



• Moving the NPDES Program to a Watershed Approach (PDF) (2,000KB)

Status report of EPA regional efforts to implement the NPDES Watershed Strategy, and of the various activities conducted by states and EPA regions to foster watershed protection.
Document Type: Program Status Reports
Date Published: 10/25/1994



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

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



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

Memorandum expressing EPA's policies for developing and implementing TMDLs.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 08/08/1997



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

Interpretation of court decision regarding 304(1) implementation.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/25/1990



• NPDES Permit Form (PDF) (711KB)

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



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

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



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

Process that should be followed for establishing Data Quality Objectives.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 12/03/1990



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

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



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

Overall description of activities for work on the issue of implementation of metals criteria for the protection of aquatic life.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/01/1993



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

User's guide for an EPA computer program that calculates local discharge limitation.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 05/01/1991



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

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



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

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



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

Use of data for establishing NPDES permit limits.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 01/02/1992



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

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



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

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



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

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

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

(This file is not currently available for download)


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

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



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

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



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

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



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

Stay of order on petition for reconsideration.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 09/21/1990



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

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



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

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



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

Describesing actions EPA will take to foster a watershed approach to protecting surface waters.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/07/1994



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

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



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

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



• Toxicity Reduction Evaluation Guidance for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

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


• Appendix A (PDF) (64KB)


• Appendix B (PDF) (27KB)


• Appendix C (PDF) (40KB)


• Appendix D (PDF) (55KB)


• Appendix E (PDF) (48KB)


• Appendix F (PDF) (83KB)


• Appendix G (PDF) (51KB)


• Appendix H (PDF) (34KB)


• Appendix I (PDF) (27KB)


• Appendix J (PDF) (36KB)


• Appendix A - J (PDF) (4.6MB)



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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


• Table of Contents (PDF) (12KB)


• Acknowledgments (PDF) (7KB)


• Executive Summary (PDF) (16KB)


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


• Glossary (PDF) (15KB)


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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



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

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



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

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



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact on Five Mile Creek, Birmingham, Alabama (PDF) (6,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system.
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 12/01/1985



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact, Back River, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland (PDF) (4,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system.
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 07/01/1986



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact, Kanawha River, Charleston, West Virginia (PDF) (3,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system.
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 07/01/1986



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact, Naugatuck River, Waterbury, Connecticut (PDF) (7,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system.
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 05/01/1986



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact, Ohio River, Near Wheeling, West Virginia (PDF) (3,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system.
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 03/01/1986



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact, Scippo Creek, Circleville, Ohio (PDF) (4,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system.
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 06/01/1985



• Validity of Effluent and Ambient Toxicity Tests for Predicting Biological Impact, Skeleton Creek, Enic, Oklahoma (PDF) (2,000KB)

Study report evaluating relationship of whole effluent toxicity to biological impacts in a freshwater system. (EPA/600/8-86/002)
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 03/01/1986



• Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


• Glossary (PDF) (97K)


• References (PDF) (72K)


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

Recommendations from Jan. 25, 1993 workshop on aquatic life criteria for metals.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: Unknown

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