9VAC25-151-50. Authorization to discharge.
A. To be eligible to discharge under this permit, an owner must (i) have a stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity from the facility's primary industrial activity, as defined in 9VAC25-151-10 (Definitions), provided the primary industrial activity is included in Table 50-2 of this section; or (ii) be notified that discharges from the facility have been designated by the department for permitting under the provisions of 9VAC25-31-120 A 1 c or under 9VAC25-31-120 A 7 a (1) or (2) of the VPDES Permit Regulation and are eligible for coverage under Sector AD of this permit.
Any owner governed by this general permit is hereby authorized to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity, as defined in this chapter, to surface waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia provided that:
1. The owner submits a registration statement in accordance with 9VAC25-151-60, and that registration statement is accepted by the department;
2. The owner submits the required permit fee;
3. The owner complies with the applicable requirements of 9VAC25-151-70 et seq.; and
4. The department has not notified the owner that the discharge is ineligible for coverage in accordance with subsection B of this section.
B. The department will notify an owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this general permit in the event of any of the following:
1. The owner is required to obtain an individual permit in accordance with 9VAC25-31-170 B 3 of the VPDES Permit Regulation;
2. The owner is proposing to discharge to state waters specifically named in other board regulations that prohibit such discharges;
3. The discharge violates or would violate the antidegradation policy in the Water Quality Standards at 9VAC25-260-30; or
4. The discharge is not consistent with the assumptions and requirements of an approved TMDL. Virginia's Phase I Chesapeake Bay TMDL Watershed Implementation Plan (November 29, 2010) states that wasteloads for future growth for new facilities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed with industrial stormwater discharges cannot exceed the nutrient and sediment loadings that were discharged before the land being developed for the new industrial activity. For purposes of this permit regulation, facilities that begin construction after June 30, 2024, must be consistent with this requirement to be eligible for coverage under this general permit.
C. Additional conditions.
1. Facilities with colocated industrial activities on-site shall comply with all applicable effluent limitations, monitoring, and SWPPP requirements of each section of 9VAC25-151-70 et seq. in which a colocated industrial activity is described.
2. Stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity that are mixed with other discharges ( i.e., stormwater and nonstormwater) requiring a VPDES permit are authorized by this permit, provided that the owner obtains coverage under this VPDES general permit for the industrial activity discharges and a VPDES general or individual permit for the other discharges. The owner shall comply with the terms and requirements of each permit that authorizes any component of the discharge.
3. The stormwater discharges authorized by this permit may be combined with other sources of stormwater that are not required to be covered under a VPDES permit, so long as the combined discharge is in compliance with this permit.
4. Authorized nonstormwater discharges. The following "nonstormwater" discharges are authorized by this permit:
a. Discharges from emergency firefighting activities or firefighting training activities managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact in accordance with § 9.1-207.1 of the Code of Virginia;
b. Fire hydrant flushing, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;
c. Potable water, including water line flushing, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;
d. Uncontaminated condensate from air conditioners, coolers, and other compressors and from the outside storage of refrigerated gases or liquids;
e. Irrigation drainage;
f. Landscape watering provided all pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have been applied in accordance with the approved labeling;
g. Pavement washwaters, provided no soaps, solvents, detergents or hazardous cleaning products are used, no spills or leaks of toxic or hazardous materials have occurred (unless all spilled or leaked material is removed prior to washing), and the washwater is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;
h. Routine external building washdown, provided no soaps, solvents, or detergents are used, external building surfaces do not contain hazardous substances, and the washwater is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;
i. Uncontaminated groundwater or spring water;
j. Foundation or footing drains where flows are not contaminated with process materials; and
k. Incidental windblown mist from cooling towers that collects on rooftops or adjacent portions of the facility, but not intentional discharges from the cooling tower (e.g., "piped" cooling tower blowdown or drains).
5. Stormwater discharges associated with construction activity that are regulated under a VPDES permit are not authorized by this permit.
6. Discharges subject to stormwater effluent limitation guidelines under 40 CFR Subchapter N (Effluent Guidelines and Standards) are only eligible for coverage under this permit if they are identified in Table 50-1 of this subsection.
TABLE 50 - 1 | |
Effluent Limitation Guideline | Sectors with Affected Facilities |
Runoff from material storage piles at cement manufacturing facilities (40 CFR Part 411 Subpart C (established February 20, 1974)) | E |
Contaminated runoff from phosphate fertilizer manufacturing facilities (40 CFR Part 418 Subpart A (established April 8, 1974)) | C |
Coal pile runoff at steam electric generating facilities (40 CFR Part 423 (established November 19, 1982)) | O |
Discharges resulting from spray down or intentional wetting of logs at wet deck storage areas (40 CFR Part 429 Subpart I (established January 26, 1981)) | A |
Runoff from asphalt emulsion facilities (40 CFR Part 443 Subpart A (established July 24, 1975)) | D |
Runoff from landfills (40 CFR Part 445 Subparts A and B (established January 19, 2000)) | K and L |
Discharges from airport deicing operations (40 CFR Part 449 (established May 16, 2012)) | Facilities subject to the effluent limitation guidelines in 40 CFR Part 449 may be covered under Sector AD. |
7. Permit eligibility is limited to discharges from facilities in the "sectors" of industrial activity summarized in Table 50-2 of this subsection. These sector descriptions are based on Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes and Industrial Activity Codes. References to "sectors" in this permit refer to these groupings.
TABLE 50 - 2 | |
SIC Code or Activity Code | Activity Represented |
Sector A: Timber Products | |
2411 | Log Storage and Handling (wet deck storage areas are only authorized if no chemical additives are used in the spray water or applied to the logs). |
2421 | General Sawmills and Planing Mills. |
2426 | Hardwood Dimension and Flooring Mills. |
2429 | Special Product Sawmills, Not Elsewhere Classified. |
2431-2439 (except 2434 - see Sector W) | Millwork, Veneer, Plywood, and Structural Wood. |
2441, 2448, 2449 | Wood Containers. |
2451, 2452 | Wood Buildings and Mobile Homes. |
2491 | Wood Preserving. |
2493 | Reconstituted Wood Products. |
2499 | Wood Products, Not Elsewhere Classified (includes SIC Code 24991303 - Wood, Mulch and Bark facilities). |
Sector B: Paper and Allied Products | |
2631 | Paperboard Mills. |
Sector C: Chemical and Allied Products | |
2812-2819 | Industrial Inorganic Chemicals. |
2821-2824 | Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, Synthetic Rubber, Cellulosic and Other Synthetic Fibers, except Glass. |
2841-2844 | Soaps, Detergents, and Cleaning Preparations; Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations. |
2873-2879 | Agricultural Chemicals (includes SIC Code 2875 - Composting Facilities). |
Sector D: Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials and Lubricants | |
2951, 2952 | Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials. |
2992, 2999 | Miscellaneous Products of Petroleum and Coal. |
Sector E: Glass Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Products | |
3251-3259 | Structural Clay Products. |
3261-3269 | Pottery and Related Products. |
3274, 3275 | Concrete, Gypsum and Plaster Products, Except: Concrete Block and Brick; Concrete Products, except Block and Brick; and Ready-Mixed Concrete Facilities (SIC Codes 3271-3273). |
Sector F: Primary Metals | |
3312-3317 | Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling and Finishing Mills. |
3321-3325 | Iron and Steel Foundries. |
3351-3357 | Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding of Nonferrous Metals. |
3363-3369 | Nonferrous Foundries (Castings). |
Sector G: Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing) | |
1011 | Iron Ores. |
1021 | Copper Ores. |
1031 | Lead and Zinc Ores. |
1041, 1044 | Gold and Silver Ores. |
1061 | Ferroalloy Ores, except Vanadium. |
1081 | Metal Mining Services. |
1094, 1099 | Miscellaneous Metal Ores. |
Sector H: Coal Mines and Coal Mining Related Facilities | |
1221-1241 | Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities. |
Sector J: Mineral Mining and Dressing Facilities (SIC Codes 1411-1499 are not authorized under this permit) | |
Sector K: Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal Facilities | |
HZ | Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage or Disposal. |
Sector L: Landfills and Land Application Sites | |
LF | Landfills, Land Application Sites, and Open Dumps. |
Sector M: Automobile Salvage Yards | |
5015 | Automobile Salvage Yards. |
Sector N: Scrap Recycling Facilities | |
5093 | Scrap Recycling Facilities. |
4499 (limited to list) | Dismantling Ships, Marine Salvaging, and Marine Wrecking - Ships for Scrap. |
Sector O: Steam Electric Generating Facilities | |
SE | Steam Electric Generating Facilities. |
Sector Q: Water Transportation and Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards | |
4412-4499 (except 4499 facilities as specified in Sector N) | Water Transportation. |
3731, 3732 | Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards. |
Sector U: Food and Kindred Products | |
2021-2026 | Dairy Products. |
2041-2048 | Grain Mill Products. |
2074-2079 | Fats and Oils. |
Sector Y: Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries | |
3011 | Tires and Inner Tubes. |
3021 | Rubber and Plastics Footwear. |
3052, 3053 | Gaskets, Packing, and Sealing Devices and Rubber and Plastics Hose and Belting. |
3061, 3069 | Fabricated Rubber Products, Not Elsewhere Classified. |
Sector AA: Fabricated Metal Products | |
3411-3471, 3482-3499 | Fabricated Metal Products, except Machinery and Transportation Equipment. |
3479 | Fabricated Metal Coating and Engraving. |
3911-3915 | Jewelry, Silverware, and Plated Ware. |
Sector AB: Industrial or Commercial Machinery | |
3511-3599 (except 3571-3579 ) | Industrial and Commercial Machinery (except Computer and Office Equipment). |
Sector AD: Nonclassified Facilities/Stormwater Discharges Designated by the Department as Requiring Permits | |
N/A | Stormwater Discharges Designated by the Department for Permitting under the Provisions of 9VAC25-31-120 A 1, or under 9VAC25-31-120 A 7 a (1) or (2) of the VPDES Permit Regulation. Facilities may not elect to be covered under Sector AD. Only the department may assign a facility to Sector AD. |
Sector AE: Facilities with No Analytical Benchmark Monitoring Requirements | |
2611 | Pulp Mills. |
2621 | Paper Mills. |
2652-2657 | Paperboard Containers and Boxes. |
2671-2679 | Converted Paper and Paperboard Products, except Containers and Boxes. |
2833-2836 | Medicinal Chemicals and Botanical Products; Pharmaceutical Preparations; In Vitro and In Vivo Diagnostic Substances; Biological Products, except Diagnostic Substances. |
2851 | Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products. |
2861-2869 | Industrial Organic Chemicals. |
2891-2899 | Miscellaneous Chemical Products. |
3952 (limited to list) | Inks and Paints, Including China Painting Enamels, India Ink, Drawing Ink, Platinum Paints for Burnt Wood or Leather Work, Paints for China Painting, Artist's paints, and Artist's Watercolors. |
3211 | Flat Glass. |
3221, 3229 | Glass and Glassware, Pressed or Blown. |
3231 | Glass Products Made of Purchased Glass. |
3241 | Hydraulic Cement. |
3281 | Cut Stone and Stone Products. |
3291-3299 | Abrasive, Asbestos, and Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Mineral Products. |
3331-3339 | Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metals. |
3398, 3399 | Miscellaneous Primary Metal Products. |
3341 | Secondary Smelting and refining of Nonferrous Metals. |
1311 | Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas. |
1321 | Natural Gas Liquids. |
1381-1389 | Oil and Gas Field Services. |
2911 | Petroleum Refineries. |
4512-4581 | Air Transportation Facilities. |
TW | Treatment Works. |
2011-2015 | Meat Products. |
2032-2038 | Canned, Frozen, and Preserved Fruits, Vegetables, and Food Specialties. |
2051-2053 | Bakery Products. |
2061-2068 | Sugar and Confectionary Products. |
2082-2087 | Beverages. |
2091-2099 | Miscellaneous Food Preparations Kindred Products. |
2111-2141 | Tobacco Products. |
2211-2299 | Textile Mill Products. |
2311-2399 | Apparel and Other Finished Products Made from Fabrics and Similar Materials. |
3131-3199 | Leather and Leather Products, except Leather Tanning and Finishing. |
2434 | Wood Kitchen Cabinets. |
2511-2599 | Furniture and Fixtures. |
2711-2796 | Printing, Publishing, and Allied Products. |
3081-3089 | Miscellaneous Plastics Products. |
3931 | Musical Instruments. |
3942-3949 | Dolls, Toys, Games, and Sporting and Athletic Goods. |
3951-3955 (except 3952) | Pens, Pencils, and Other Artist's Materials. |
3961, 3965 | Costume Jewelry, Costume Novelties, Buttons, and Miscellaneous Notions, except Precious Metal. |
3991-3999 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries. |
3111 | Leather Tanning, Currying, and Finishing. |
3711-3799 (except 3731, 3732 – see Sector Q) | Transportation Equipment, except Ship and Boat Building and Repairing. |
3571-3579 | Computer and Office Equipment. |
3612-3699 | Electronic and Other Electrical Equipment and Components, except Computer Equipment. |
3812-3873 | Measuring, Analyzing, and Controlling Instruments; Photographic, Medical, and Optical Goods; Watches and Clocks. |
Sector AF: Facilities Limited to Total Suspended Solids Benchmark Monitoring Requirements | |
4011, 4013 | Railroad Transportation. |
4111-4173 | Local and Highway Passenger Transportation. |
4212-4231 | Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing. |
4311 | United State Postal Service. |
5171 | Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals. |
D. Conditional exclusion for no exposure. Any owner covered by this permit who becomes eligible for a no exposure exclusion from permitting under 9VAC25-31-120 E may file a no exposure certification. On submission and acceptance by the department of a complete and accurate no exposure certification, the permit requirements no longer apply, and the owner is not required to submit a notice of termination. A no exposure certification must be submitted to the department once every five years.
E. Compliance with this general permit constitutes compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law, with the exceptions stated in 9VAC25-31-60 of the VPDES Permit Regulation. Approval for coverage under this general permit does not relieve any owner of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.
F. Continuation of permit coverage.
1. Permit coverage shall expire at the end of its term. However, expiring permit coverages are automatically continued if the owner has submitted a complete registration statement at least 60 days before the expiration date of the permit or a later submittal date established by the department, which cannot extend beyond the expiration date of the original permit. The permittee is authorized to continue to discharge until the department either:
a. Issues coverage to the owner under this general permit; or
b. Notifies the owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this general permit.
2. When the owner that was covered under the expiring or expired general permit has violated or is violating the conditions of that permit, the department may choose to do any or all of the following:
a. Initiate enforcement action based on the general permit coverage that has been continued;
b. Issue a notice of intent to deny coverage under the amended general permit. If the general permit coverage is denied, the owner would then be required to cease the discharges authorized by the continued general permit coverage or be subject to enforcement action for discharging without a permit;
c. Issue an individual permit with appropriate conditions; or
d. Take other actions authorized by the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31).
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; § 402 of the Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, and 124.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 9, eff. June 30, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2009; Volume 30, Issue 11, eff. July 1, 2014; Errata, 31:3 VA.R. 194 October 6, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2019; Volume 40, Issue 15, eff. July 1, 2024.