Industrial and Commercial Facilities
Publications

• Environmental Management Systems

This Guide is intended to support and facilitate the development of environmental management systems (EMS) among small and medium-sized organizations. The Guide explains how you can develop and implement an effective EMS and how it can support your organization's mission and goals. Development of an EMS is a voluntary approach to improving your organization's environmental performance. The final report on NSF International's EMS Demonstration Project summarizes the EMS implementation experiences of 18 organizations of a variety of types and sizes. The project, which used the ISO 14001 Standard as the model for an EMS, was funded through a two-year grant from EPA's Office of Wastewater Management (October 1994 - September 1996).
Document Type: Case Studies
Date Published: 11/01/1996
• Demonstration Project Final Report (PDF) (283KB)


• An Implementation Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Organizations (PDF) (679KB)



• Search General Permits

EPA is gathering PDF copies of NPDES general permits and fact sheets for major facilities issued after November 1, 2002. Click here to search and view general permits issued by permit category, state, permit title, or permit number.
Document Type: Example and General Permits
Date Published: 11/01/2002
• Fact Sheet on the Ninth Circuit Opinion on the Stormwater Regulations (PDF) (72KB)

Affirmation of the EPA's Nov. 16, 1990 storm water application regulations.
Document Type: Factsheets and Outreach Materials
Date Published: 09/03/1992



• Stormwater Phase II Federal Advisory Subcommittee Members (PDF) (105KB)

Contact list consists of members, alternates, and affiliate contacts.
Document Type: Factsheets and Outreach Materials
Date Published: Unknown



• EPA's National Pretreatment Program, 1973-2003: Thirty Years of Protecting the Environment (PDF) (249KB)

Four-page brochure highlighting 30 years of progress to reduce or eliminate discharges of pollutants to US waters and to POTWs, via the Pretreatment Program (833-F-03-001).
Document Type: Factsheets and Outreach Materials
Date Published: 09/01/2003



• NPDES Form 2C Application (PDF) (1,490KB)

Application for permit to discharge wastewater - existing industrial facilities (including manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural operations) (Revisions proposed for Form 2C have been discontinued.)Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or 8.0 in order to open this file. Even though this publication is a PDF file, this document allows you to type directly onto the form and allows you to save the PDF with the form fields populated. You should enter your facility information on the form, print it, sign it, and mail the form to the address stated in the instructions.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: 08/01/1990



• NPDES Form 2D Application (PDF) (991KB)

Application for permit to discharge process wastewater - for new industrial facilities. Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or 8.0 in order to open this file. Even though this publication is a PDF file, this document allows you to type directly onto the form and allows you to save the PDF with the form fields populated. You should enter your facility information on the form, print it, sign it, and mail the form to the address stated in the instructions.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: 08/01/1990



• NPDES Form 2E Application (PDF) (204KB)

Application for facilities which do not discharge process wastewaters. Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or 8.0 in order to open this file. Even though this publication is a PDF file, this document allows you to type directly onto the form and allows you to save the PDF with the form fields populated. You should enter your facility information on the form, print it, sign it, and mail the form to the address stated in the instructions.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: 08/01/1990



• NPDES Form 2F Application (PDF) (368KB)

Application for permit to discharge stormwater associated with new and existing industrial activity. Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or 8.0 in order to open this file. Even though this publication is a PDF file, this document allows you to type directly onto the form and allows you to save the PDF with the form fields populated. You should enter your facility information on the form, print it, sign it, and mail the form to the address stated in the instructions.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: 01/01/1992



• NPDES Form 1 Application: General Information - Consolidated Permits Program (PDF) (713KB)

General information application. Must be submitted by all facilities applying for an individual NPDES permit, with the exception of POTWs, TWTDS, and MS4s serving a population greater than 100,000. Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or 8.0 in order to open this file. Even though this publication is a PDF file, this document allows you to type directly onto the form and allows you to save the PDF with the form fields populated. You should enter your facility information on the form, print it, sign it, and mail the form to the address stated in the instructions.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: 08/01/1990



• NPDES Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Form (PDF) (191KB)

Form used by NPDES stormwater permittees to submit analytical monitoring results to the appropriate NPDES permitting authority.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: Unknown



• Notice of Intent (NOI) for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity Under the Multi-Sector NPDES General Permit (PDF) (8 pp, 714KB)

Submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) constitutes notice that the entity intends to be authorized to discharge pollutants to waters of the United States under EPA's Stormwater Multi-sector General Permit (MSGP). Note: Even though this publication is a PDF file, it allows you to type directly onto the form while it is open in the Adobe Acrobat Reader. You should enter your facility information on the form, print it, sign it, and mail it to the Stormwater NOI Center.
Document Type: Permit Applications and Forms
Date Published: 09/29/2008



• Outer Continental Shelf Coordination Committee (PDF) (356KB)

Memorandum discussing the roles of the OCS Committee which was formed to provide direction for the many Agency activities related to regulation of the oil and gas industry on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 06/06/1981



• BCT Cost Test Guidance

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


• Guidance (PDF) (2,000KB)



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

Memorandum to EPA regions requesting EPA Headquarters involvement in discussions related to discharge of NPDES residuals into wetlands
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 02/01/1987



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

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




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

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




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

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



• 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



• Interim Petroleum Refinery Dioxin Discharges Activities and Guidance Update (PDF) (492KB)

Memorandum providing an interim report on the available information regarding the potential presence of dioxins and furans in wastewater discharaged from petroleum refineries and to provide the Regions with recommendations concerning notification of petroleum refineries about the detection of dioxins and furans in certain refinery wastestreams.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/06/1989



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

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



• 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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



• 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



• 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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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




• 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



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

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




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

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



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

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




• Application of RCRA Corrective Action Requirements to POTWs (TXT) (9KB)

This memorandum outlines the applicability of RCRA to POTWs and contains a model letter, to be sent to POTWs, requiring them to notify EPA whether RCRA "hazardous waste" is received by the POTW.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 09/11/1986



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

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




• POTW Contract Operations (PDF) (118KB)

Memo discussing the potential liability of private operators of POTWs as NPDES copermittees.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/28/1988
• [Click here to view in TXT format - 11KB ]




• Section 316(b) Flow Diagram of Draft Regulatory Framework Assessment of Potential Impacts from Impingement (PDF) (22KB)

Section 316(b) Flow Diagram of Draft Regulatory Framework Assessment of Potential Impacts from Impingement
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: Unknown



• Summary of Participant Feedback, Section 316(B) Public Meeting - September 10-11, 1998 (PDF) (75KB)

Summary of public meeting held on September 10, 1998.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: Unknown



• 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 ]




• U.S. EPA's Hardrock Mining Framework

The framework has been developed to help the USEPA implement a multi-media, multi-statute approach to dealing with the environmental concerns posed by hardrock mining. It focuses on understanding and improving the use of existing EPA authorities while recognizing the role of other parties (EPA-833-B-97-003).
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 09/01/1997
• Fact sheet (PDF) (51KB)


• Chapters 1-5 (PDF) (50KB)


• Appendix A: Mining Industry Profile (PDF) (116KB)


• Appendix B: Potential Environmental Impacts of Hardrock Mining (PDF) (85KB)


• Appendix C: Regulatory and Non-Regulatory Tools (PDF) (217KB)


• Appendix D: Other Federal Regulatory Tools (PDF) (57KB)


• Appendix E: Overview of State Regulatory Approaches (PDF) (28KB)


• Appendix F: Selected Methods of Ranking Sites (PDF) (69KB)


• Summary of Comments (PDF) (121KB)



• Predicting Soil Erosion by Water: A Guide to Conservation Planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) (PDF) (8,382KB)

Contains information on the R factor.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: Unknown



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

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




• Application of the NPDES General Permit Program to Offshore Oil and Gas Facilities

Publication is not available electronically. For more information on ordering publications, go to http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 07/30/1981
(This file is not currently available for download)


• Policy Regarding Procedures for FDF BPT Variances

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

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

(This file is not currently available for download)


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

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

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

(This file is not currently available for download)


• National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for NPDES Stormwater Phase II

Contains numerous fact sheets that describe best management practices (BMPs) that can be used to fulfill the 6 minimum measures described in the Stormwater Phase II Rule (public education and outreach on stormwater impacts, public involvement/participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations). Regulated small MS4s can select from the menu as they submit a notice of intent (NOI) to be covered by a general permit. It can also be used by states, the construction industry, and other stakeholders. Each fact sheet contains cost and effectiveness data, applicability, siting and design considerations, benefits, limitations, and case studies and resources for further information. To view the Menu of BMPs visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/27/2000
• Regional Responsibility for EPA Review of State SMCRA Programs on Request of the Office of Surface Mining

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

Describes EPA review of state SMCRA program amendments and new program submissions.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 02/04/1992

(This file is not currently available for download)


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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



• 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



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

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



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

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



• Coal Mining Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and its Relationship to EPA's Current Responsibilities for Coal Mining Operations (PDF) (283KB)

Highlights of the SMCRA, intended for the states and EPA Regions.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 05/25/1978



• Confidentiality of NPDES Permit Application

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


• Decision (PDF) (348KB)



• Consent Decree in Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. Browner, Civ. No. 95-634 PLF (Stormwater Phase II litigation) (PDF) (1,181KB)

Consent Decree settling litigation over EPA implementation of Section 402(p)(6) of the Clean Water Act.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/24/1995



• Disposal of Supply Water Treatment Sludges (PDF) (121KB)

Information on the NPDES standards permit language containing a prohibition on the return of supply water treatment sludges to the receiving water.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 09/13/1974



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

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



• February 4, 1990 Deadline for Stormwater Permit Applications (PDF) (166KB)

Application requirements for storm water permits.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 01/31/1990



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

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



• Guidance for Evaluating the Adverse Impact of Cooling Water Intake Structures on the Aquatic Environment (PDF) (24KB)

Section 316(b) P.L.92-500
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 05/01/1977



• Guidance for the Determination of Appropriate Methods for the Detection of Section 313 Water Priority Chemicals (PDF) (2,411KB)

Guidance to facilities discharging storm water and subject to EPCRA section 313 reporting requirements on what pollutants to sample for and what methods to use when sampling. (EPA 833-B-94-001)
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/01/1994



• Guidance for the Preparation of Discharge Monitoring Reports: Facilities Required to Report Semi-Annual Monitoring Results Under NPDES Stormwater General Permits (PDF) (1,467KB)

Requirements for reporting storm water discharges (EPA-833-B-93-002).
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/01/1994



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

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



• Guidance Manual For the Preparation of NPDES Permit Applications For Stormwater Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity (PDF) (13,971KB)

Assistance for operators of facilities which discharge storm water in complying with NPDES permit application requirements (EPA-505/8-91-002).
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/01/1991



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

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



• 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



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

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



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

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



• 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



• Letter from EPA to Joseph A. Dinkel, Water Works Operators' Association of Pennsylvania (PDF) (123KB)

Policy of Pennsylvania DER re. Discharge of wastewater from water treatment plants.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 03/06/1984



• Monitoring of Total Hydrocarbons by Sewage Sludge Incinerators (PDF) (98KB)

Explaines EPA's anticipated actions to measure compliance with the total hydrocarbons requirements for sludge incinerators.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 02/17/1994



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

Permitting and compliance monitoring & enforcement implementation activities.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 12/17/1990



• NPDES Industrial Permit Abstracts 1993 (PDF) (27,663KB)

Tool for permit writers to use in drafting technically and legally substantiated permit conditions. Sixth edition (EPA-833-B-93-005).
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/01/1993



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

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



• 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 in Wetlands Areas

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


• Guidance (PDF) (41KB)



• Oil and Grease Limitations for Petroleum Marketing Terminals (PDF) (248KB)

Guidance for drafting NPDES permits for oil and grease limitations in petroleum marketing terminals.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 03/18/1974



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

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



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

Policies and guidance on industrial NPDES permits.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 07/12/1978



• 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



• Preliminary Report USEPA Bench Scale Wastewater Treatability Study Pulp and Paper Mill Discharges of 2378-TCDD and 2378-TCDF (PDF) (1,583KB)

Proposed Interim Control Measures Interim NPDES Permit Strategy: Wastewater discharges of 2378-TCDD and 2378-TCDF from pulp and paper mills.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 10/01/1988



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

Information regarding the fundamentally different factors (FDR) variance request during the past year.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 08/18/1977



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

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



• 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



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

Guidance on reissuing permits.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 05/16/1978



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

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



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

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



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

Significant noncompliance study and enforcement of EPA regulations.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 08/25/1993



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

Guidance for handling 301(g) variance requests.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 05/17/1983



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

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



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

Information on the recent amendments to the FWPCA.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 03/10/1978



• 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



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

Suspending a provision of the Consolidated Permit Regulations.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 07/15/1980



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

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



• 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



• 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



• Memorandum to Regional Enforcement Division Directors and NPDES State Directors: Variance Applications (PDF) (392KB)

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

Guidance on granting variances to BAT requirements.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 06/13/1978



• 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)



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

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



• Regulatory Determination for the "PreKote" Surface Preparation Process (PDF) (115KB)

Memorandum clarifying whether the use of a particular metal surface painting preparation operation, a chemical marketed as "PreKote" and a liquid epoxy primer, conducted on aircraft aluminum surfaces prior to painting is regulated as a core operation under the Metal Finishing Effluent Guidelines (40 CFR 433).
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/01/2003



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

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



• Memorandum from Linda Boornazian and Mary T. Smith: Clarification of CWA 316(b) Requirements for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminals (PDF) (298KB)

This memorandum identifies the requirements that apply or could potentially apply to cooling water intake structures at Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) import terminals under the Clean Water Act (CWA) 316(b).
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 04/22/2004



• Guidance Document for the Control of Water Pollution in the Photographic Processing Industry

Guidance manual to assist implementation of Photographic Point Source Category of Effluent Guidelines and Standards-40 CFR 459.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 02/20/1981
• Part 1 (PDF) (4,285KB)


• Part 2 (PDF) (4,600KB)


• Part 3 (PDF) (3,411KB)



• Memorandum: Implementation of Section 316(b) in NPDES Permits (PDF) (21 pp, 333KB)

This memorandum provides an update on the status of regulations and implementation activities for cooling water intake structures under section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 02/27/2003



• Memorandum: Remand of Restoration Provisions in Rule Governing Cooling Water Intakes at New Facilities under 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (PDF) (1 pp, 93KB)

This memorandum discusses the remand of restoration measures for 316(b) Phase I facilities.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 06/16/2004



• New Source Dates for Direct and Indirect Dischargers Memorandum (PDF) (18 pp, 353KB)

This memorandum summarizes EPA regulatory requirements for determining what sources are new sources. This document includes Appendix A which provides a summary of relevant regulatory criteria for consideration in this determination as well as Appendix B which provides a listing of applicable new source dates used in making new source determinations.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 09/28/2006



• Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT) Effluent Guidelines Final Rule and Cost-Reasonableness Methodology (PDF) (28 pp, 8,300KB)

Regulation establishing effluent guidelines based on application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT) for the discharge of conventional pollutants into waters of the United States by certain industrial dischargers. The preamble describes EPA’s general methodology for determining the reasonableness of costs for these BCT effluent guidelines and for case-by-case determinations of BCT effluent limitations.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 07/09/1986



• Memorandum from Charles H. Kaplan, P.E. to Regional Permit Branch Chiefs, State NPDES Coordinators - Guidance for NPDES Permits Issued to Electric Cogenerating Plants and Industrial Facilities with Electric Generating Plants (PDF) (11 pp, 888KB)

Information and Guidance on the applicability of the Steam Electric Power Generating effluent guidelines of 40 CFR 423 to combined cycle steam electric facilities, cogenerating facilities, and steam electric plants at industrial facilities.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 06/30/1988



• Applicability of Effluent Guidelines and Categorical Pretreatment Standards to Biodiesel Manufacturing (PDF) (13 pp, 552KB)

Memorandum to Water Division Directors summarizing the current Clean Water Act regulatory requirements, with regard to effluent limitations guidelines, new source performance standards, pretreatment standards, and/or NPDES stormwater permitting, for the manufacturing process wastewater discharge from biodiesel industry.
Document Type: Policy and Guidance Documents
Date Published: 08/11/2008



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

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


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


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



• 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



• Combined Sewer Overflow Technology Fact Sheet: Chlorine Disinfection (PDF) (10 pp, 1,875KB)

Fact sheet that discusses the use of chlorine to disinfect discharged waters from combined sewer overflows. Includes information on advantages and disadvantages of this process, as well as applicability, performance, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs (EPA 832-F-99-034).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/1999



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Ozone Disinfection (PDF) (7 pp, 40KB)

Fact sheet that describes ozone disinfection for wastewater treatment. Provides information on technologies, advantages and disadvantages, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs. Also available in Spanish (EPA 832-F-99-063).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/1999


• Spanish Version (PDF) (9 pp, 181KB)



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Ultraviolet Disinfection (PDF) (7 pp, 93K)

Fact sheet that describes ultraviolet disinfection as a wastewater treatment system. Provides information on technologies, advantages and disadvantages, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs. Also available in Spanish (EPA 832-F-99-064).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/1999


• Spanish Version (PDF) (9 pp, 228KB)



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Intermittent Sand Filters (PDF) (7 pp, 84KB)

Fact sheet that describes intermittent sand filters as wastewater treatment systems and provides information on technologies, advantages and disadvantages, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs. Also available in Spanish (EPA 832-F-99-067).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/1999


• Spanish Version (PDF) (9 pp, 203KB)



• Biosolids Technology Fact Sheet: In-Vessel Composting of Biosolids (PDF) (9 pp, 100KB)

Fact sheet that discusses the use of in-vessel composting of biosolids to stabilize wastewater solids prior to their use as soil amendments for horticultural or agricultural purposes. The document addresses performance standards to be met in terms of pathogen reduction, types of composting reactors, and environmental impacts of in-vessel composting, as well as advantages and disadvantages, applicability, performance, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs of this type of system (EPA 832-F-00-061).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/2000



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption and Regeneration (PDF) (7 pp, 76KB)

Fact sheet on the use of GAC adsorption for advanced treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater. Technology can be used to absorb small quantities of remaining soluble organic and inorganic compounds. Provides information on advantages and disadvantages, applicability, performance, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs (EPA 832-F-00-017).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/2000



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Chemical Precipitation (PDF) (8 pp, 59KB)

Fact sheet that provides information on the advantages and disadvantages, applicability, performance, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs of widely used technologies for removing organic substances, metals and other inorganics from wastewater in a process of precipitation, or settling out these substances from solution (EPA 832-F-00-018).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/2000



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Dechlorination (PDF) (7 pp, 54KB)

Fact sheet that discusses ways to remove residual chlorine from disinfected wastewater prior to discharge into the environment. Provides information on advantages and disadvantages, applicability, performance, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs of such processes (EPA 832-F-00-022).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/2000



• Stormwater Program for Regulated Small MS4s: Unincorporated Towns/Townships in Urbanized Areas (PDF) (741KB)

Document Type:
Date Published: 07/11/2000



• Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Package Plants (PDF) (12 pp, 75KB)

Fact sheet that describes common types of premanufactured treatment facilities designed for wastewater treatment in small communities or on individual properties. Provides information on the advantages and disadvantages, applicability, performance, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs of each type of facility (EPA 832-F-00-016).
Document Type:
Date Published: 09/01/2000

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