Virginia Law

Any owner whose registration statement is accepted by the director will receive the following general permit and shall comply with the requirements therein and be subject to the VPDES Permit Regulation, 9VAC25-31. Facilities with colocated industrial activities shall comply with all applicable monitoring and SWPPP requirements of each industrial activity sector of this chapter in which a colocated industrial activity is described. All pages of 9VAC25-151-70 and 9VAC25-151-80 apply to all stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity covered under this general permit. Not all pages of 9VAC25-151-90 et seq. will apply to every permittee. The determination of which pages apply will be based on an evaluation of the regulated activities located at the facility.

General Permit No.: VAR05

Effective Date: July 1, 2024

Expiration Date: June 30, 2029

VPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORMWATER DISCHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY

AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE VIRGINIA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM AND THE VIRGINIA STATE WATER CONTROL LAW

In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended, and pursuant to the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, owners of facilities with stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity are authorized to discharge to surface waters within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except those waters specifically named in board regulation that prohibit such discharges.

The authorized discharge shall be in accordance with this cover page, the registration statement, Part I-Effluent Limitations, Monitoring Requirements and Special Conditions, Part II-Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits, Part III-Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, Part IV-Sector-Specific Permit Requirements, and Part V-Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load Compliance as set forth in this general permit.

Part I

Effluent Limitations, Monitoring Requirements and Special Conditions

A. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements.

There are four individual and separate categories of monitoring requirements that a facility may be subject to under this permit: (i) quarterly visual monitoring; (ii) benchmark monitoring of discharges associated with specific industrial activities; (iii) compliance monitoring for discharges subject to numerical effluent limitations; and (iv) monitoring of discharges to impaired waters, both those with an approved TMDL and those without an approved TMDL. The monitoring requirements and numeric effluent limitations applicable to a facility depend on the types of industrial activities generating stormwater runoff from the facility, and for TMDL monitoring, the location of the facility's discharge. Part IV of the permit identifies monitoring requirements applicable to specific sectors of industrial activity. The permittee shall review Part I A 1 and Part IV of the permit to determine which monitoring requirements and numeric limitations apply to the permittee's facility. Unless otherwise specified, limitations and monitoring requirements under Part I A 1 and Part IV are additive.

Sector-specific monitoring requirements and limitations are applied discharge by discharge at facilities with colocated activities. Where stormwater from the colocated activities is commingled, the monitoring requirements and limitations are additive. Where more than one numeric limitation for a specific parameter applies to a discharge, compliance with the more restrictive limitation is required. Where benchmark, numerical effluent limitations, or TMDL monitoring requirements for a monitoring period overlap, the permittee may use a single sample to satisfy monitoring requirements.

1. Types of monitoring requirements and limitations.

a. Quarterly visual monitoring. The requirements and procedures for quarterly visual monitoring are applicable to all facilities covered under this permit, regardless of the facility's sector of industrial activity.

(1) The permittee shall perform and document a quarterly visual examination of a stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity from each outfall, except discharges exempted in Part I A 3 or A 4. The visual examinations shall be made at least once in each of the following three-month periods: January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December. The visual examination shall be made during normal working hours, where practicable, and when considerations for safety and feasibility allow. If no storm event resulted in runoff from the facility during a monitoring quarter, the permittee is excused from visual monitoring for that quarter provided that documentation is included with the monitoring records indicating that no runoff occurred.

(2) Samples shall be collected in accordance with Part I A 2. Sample examination shall document observations of color, odor, clarity, floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and other obvious indicators of stormwater pollution. The visual examination of the sample shall be conducted in a well-lit area. No analytical tests are required to be performed on the samples.

(3) The visual examination documentation shall be maintained on-site with the SWPPP. The documentation shall include the outfall location, the examination date and time, examination staff, the nature of the discharge (i.e., runoff or snow melt), visual quality of the stormwater discharge (including observations of color, odor, clarity, floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and other obvious indicators of stormwater pollution), and probable sources of any observed stormwater contamination.

b. Benchmark monitoring of discharges associated with specific industrial activities.

Table 70-1 identifies the specific industrial sectors subject to the benchmark monitoring requirements of this permit and the industry-specific pollutants of concern. The permittee shall refer to the tables found in the individual sectors in Part IV for benchmark monitoring concentration values. Colocated industrial activities at the facility that are described in more than one sector in Part IV shall comply with all applicable benchmark monitoring requirements from each sector.

The results of benchmark monitoring are primarily for the permittee to use to determine the overall effectiveness of the SWPPP in controlling the discharge of pollutants to receiving waters. Benchmark concentration values, included in Part IV of this permit, are not effluent limitations. Exceedance of a benchmark concentration does not constitute a violation of this permit and does not show that violation of a water quality standard has occurred; however, it does signal that modifications to the SWPPP are necessary, unless justification is provided in a routine facility inspection. In addition, exceedance of benchmark concentrations may identify facilities that would be more appropriately covered under an individual, or alternative general permit where more specific pollution prevention controls could be required.

(1) Benchmark monitoring shall be performed for all benchmark parameters specified for the industrial sector applicable to a facility's discharge. Monitoring shall be performed at least once during each of the first four, and potentially all, monitoring periods after coverage under the permit begins. Monitoring begins with the first full monitoring period after the owner is granted coverage under the permit. Monitoring periods are specified in Part I A 2.

(2) Benchmark monitoring waivers for facilities testing below benchmark concentration values. Waivers from benchmark monitoring are available to facilities whose discharges are below benchmark concentration values on an outfall by outfall basis. Sector-specific benchmark monitoring is not required to be conducted in subsequent monitoring periods during the term of this permit provided:

(a) Samples were collected in four consecutive monitoring periods, and the average of the four samples for all parameters at the outfall is below the applicable benchmark concentration value in Part IV. Facilities that were covered under the 2019 industrial stormwater general permit may use sampling data from the last two monitoring periods of that permit and the first two monitoring periods of this permit to satisfy the four consecutive monitoring periods requirement;

(b) The facility is not subject to a numeric effluent limitation established in Part I A 1 c (1) (stormwater effluent limitations), Part I A 1 c (2) (coal pile runoff), or Part IV (Sector Specific Permit Requirements) for any of the parameters at that outfall; and

(c) A waiver request is submitted to and approved by the department. The waiver request shall be sent to the appropriate DEQ regional office, along with the supporting monitoring data for four consecutive monitoring periods, and a certification that, based on current potential pollutant sources and control measures used, discharges from the facility are reasonably expected to be substantially similar or cleaner compared to when the benchmark monitoring for the four consecutive monitoring periods was done.

Waiver requests will be evaluated by the department based on (i) benchmark monitoring results below the benchmark concentration values; (ii) a favorable compliance history (including inspection results); and (iii) no outstanding enforcement actions.

The monitoring waiver may be revoked by the department for cause. The permittee will be notified in writing that the monitoring waiver is revoked, and that the benchmark monitoring requirements are again in force and will remain in effect until the permit's expiration date.

(3) Samples shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Part I A 2. Monitoring results shall be reported in accordance with Part I A 5 and Part II C and retained in accordance with Part II B.

c. Compliance monitoring for discharges subject to numerical effluent limitations or discharges to impaired waters.

(1) Facilities subject to stormwater effluent limitation guidelines.

(a) Facilities subject to stormwater effluent limitation guidelines (see Table 70-2) are required to monitor the discharges to evaluate compliance with numerical effluent limitations. Industry-specific numerical limitations and compliance monitoring requirements are described in Part IV of the permit. Permittees with colocated industrial activities at the facility that are described in more than one sector in Part IV shall comply on a discharge-by-discharge basis with all applicable effluent limitations from each sector.

(b) Permittees shall monitor the discharges for the presence of the pollutant subject to the effluent limitation at least once during each of the monitoring periods after coverage under the permit begins. Monitoring begins with the first full monitoring period after the owner is granted coverage under the permit. Monitoring periods are specified in Part I A 2. The substantially identical outfall monitoring provisions (Part I A 2 f) are not available for numeric effluent limits monitoring.

(c) Samples shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Part I A 2. Monitoring results shall be reported in accordance with Part I A 5 and Part II C, and retained in accordance with Part II B.

(2) Facilities subject to coal pile runoff monitoring.

(a) Facilities with discharges of stormwater from coal storage piles shall comply with the limitations and monitoring requirements of Table 70-3 for all discharges containing the coal pile runoff, regardless of the facility's sector of industrial activity.

(b) Permittees shall monitor the stormwater discharges at least once during each of the monitoring periods after coverage under the permit begins. Monitoring begins with the first full monitoring period after the owner is granted coverage under the permit. Monitoring periods are specified in Part I A 2. The substantially identical outfall monitoring provisions (Part I A 2 f) are not available for coal pile numeric effluent limits monitoring.

(c) The coal pile runoff shall not be diluted with other stormwater or other flows to meet this limitation.

(d) If a facility is designed, constructed, and operated to treat the volume of coal pile runoff that is associated with a 10-year, 24-hour rainfall event, any untreated overflow of coal pile runoff from the treatment unit is not subject to the 50 mg/L limitation for total suspended solids.

(e) Samples shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Part I A 2. Monitoring results shall be reported in accordance with Part I A 5 and Part II C, and retained in accordance with Part II B.

(3) Facilities discharging to an impaired water with an approved TMDL wasteload allocation. Owners of facilities that are a source of the specified pollutant of concern to waters for which a TMDL wasteload allocation has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before the term of this permit will be notified by the department when they are approved for coverage under the general permit.

(a) Upon written notification from the department, permittees shall monitor the discharges for the pollutant subject to TMDL wasteload allocation once every six months after coverage under the permit begins, unless another sampling frequency is determined by the department for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Monitoring begins with the first full monitoring period after the owner is granted coverage under the permit. Monitoring periods are specified in Part I A 2.

(b) Samples shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Part I A 2. Monitoring results shall be reported in accordance with Part I A 5 and Part II C, and retained in accordance with Part II B.

(c) If the pollutant subject to the TMDL wasteload allocation is below the quantitation level in all of the samples from the first four monitoring periods, the permittee may request to the department in writing that further sampling be discontinued, unless the TMDL has specific instructions to the contrary (in which case those instructions shall be followed). The laboratory certificate of analysis shall be submitted with the request. If approved, documentation of this shall be kept with the SWPPP.

If the pollutant subject to the TMDL wasteload allocation is above the quantitation level in any of the samples from the first four monitoring periods, the permittee shall continue the scheduled TMDL monitoring throughout the term of the permit. Applicable sampling data collected during the 2019 industrial stormwater general permit term may be used to satisfy all or part of the four monitoring periods requirement.

(d) Upon written notification from the department, facilities exceeding the TMDL wasteload allocation shall prepare and submit a pollutant minimization plan (PMP) designed to investigate the location and potential reduction of sources in the facility's stormwater discharges. The PMP shall be developed and submitted to the department for approval within 180 days of the receipt of notification from the department. The PMP shall include the following items, as appropriate:

(i) Facility contact for the contents of the PMP and any activities associated with the PMP;

(ii) A proposed implementation schedule for minimization activities and prospective milestones;

(iii) Proposed actions for known or probable sources;

(iv) Proposed action to find and control unknown sources;

(v) A summary of any previous minimization activities; and

(vi) Information on continuing assessment of progress, which may include establishment of criteria to evaluate whether the location and potential reduction of sources have been addressed.

(4) Facilities discharging to an impaired water without an approved TMDL wasteload allocation. Owners of facilities that discharge to waters listed as impaired in the 2022 Final 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report, and for which a TMDL wasteload allocation has not been approved before the term of this permit, will be notified by the department when they are approved for coverage under the general permit.

(a) Upon written notification from the department,

permittees shall monitor the discharges for all pollutants for which the waterbody is impaired, and for which a standard analytical method exists, at least once every six months after coverage under the permit begins, unless otherwise determined by the department for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Monitoring begins with the first full monitoring period after the owner is granted coverage under the permit. Monitoring periods are specified in Part I A 2.

(b) If the pollutant for which the waterbody is impaired is suspended solids, turbidity, or sediment, or sedimentation, monitor for total suspended solids (TSS). If the pollutant for which the waterbody is impaired is expressed in the form of an indicator or surrogate pollutant, monitor for that indicator or surrogate pollutant. No monitoring is required when a waterbody's biological communities are impaired but no pollutant, including indicator or surrogate pollutants, is specified as causing the impairment, or when a waterbody's impairment is related to hydrologic modifications, impaired hydrology, or temperature. Samples shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Part I A 2. Monitoring results shall be reported in accordance with Part I A 5 and Part II C, and retained in accordance with Part II B.

(c) If the pollutant for which the water is impaired is below the quantitation level in the discharges from the facility, or it is above the quantitation level but its presence is caused solely by natural background sources, the permittee may request to the department in writing that further impaired water monitoring be discontinued. The laboratory certificate of analysis shall be submitted with the request. If approved, documentation of this shall be kept with the SWPPP.

To support a determination that the pollutant's presence is caused solely by natural background sources, the following documentation shall be submitted with the request and kept with the SWPPP: (i) an explanation of why it is believed that the presence of the impairment pollutant in the facility's discharge is not related to the activities at the facility; and (ii) data or studies that tie the presence of the impairment pollutant in the facility's discharge to natural background sources in the watershed. Natural background pollutants include those substances that are naturally occurring in soils or groundwater. Natural background pollutants do not include legacy pollutants from earlier activity at the facility's site or pollutants in run-on from neighboring sources that are not naturally occurring.

2. Monitoring instructions.

a. Collection and analysis of samples. Sampling requirements shall be assessed on an outfall by outfall basis. Samples shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with the requirements of Part II A.

b. When and how to sample. A minimum of one grab sample shall be taken from the discharge associated with industrial activity resulting from a storm event that results in a discharge from the site, providing the interval from the preceding storm event discharge is at least 72 hours. The 72-hour storm interval is waived if the permittee is able to document that less than a 72-hour interval is representative for local storm events during the sampling period. In the case of snowmelt, the monitoring shall be performed at a time when a measurable discharge occurs at the site. For discharges from a stormwater management structure, the monitoring shall be performed at a time when a measurable discharge occurs from the structure.

The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes of the discharge. If it is not practicable to take the sample during the first 30 minutes, the sample may be taken during the first three hours of the discharge, provided that the permittee explains why a grab sample during the first 30 minutes was impracticable. This information shall be submitted in the department's electronic discharge monitoring report (e-DMR) system, and maintained with the SWPPP. If the sampled discharge commingles with process or nonprocess water, the permittee shall attempt to sample the stormwater discharge before it mixes with the nonstormwater.

c. Storm event data. For each monitoring event (except snowmelt monitoring), along with the monitoring results, the permittee shall identify the date of the storm event sampled; rainfall total (in inches) of the storm event that generated the sampled runoff; and the interval between the storm event sampled and the end of the previous storm event discharge. For snowmelt monitoring, the permittee shall identify the date of the sampling event.

d. Monitoring periods.

(1) Quarterly visual monitoring. The quarterly visual examinations shall be made at least once in each of the following three-month periods each year of permit coverage: January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December.

(2) Benchmark monitoring, effluent limitation monitoring, and impaired waters monitoring (for waters both with and without an approved TMDL). Monitoring shall be conducted at least once in each of the following semiannual periods each year of permit coverage: January through June, and July through December.

e. Documentation explaining a facility's inability to obtain a sample (including dates and times the outfalls were viewed or sampling was attempted), of no rain event, or of deviation from the 72-hour storm interval shall be submitted with the e-DMR and maintained with the SWPPP. Acceptable documentation includes National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) weather station data, local weather station data, facility rainfall logs, and other appropriate supporting data.

f. Representative outfalls - substantially identical discharges. If the facility has two or more outfalls that discharge substantially identical effluents, based on similarities of the industrial activities, significant materials, size of drainage areas, and stormwater management practices occurring within the drainage areas of the outfalls, frequency of discharges, and stormwater management practices occurring within the drainage areas of the outfalls, the permittee may conduct monitoring on the effluent of just one of the outfalls and report that the observations also apply to the substantially identical outfall. The substantially identical outfall monitoring provisions apply to quarterly visual monitoring, benchmark monitoring, and impaired waters monitoring (both those with and without an approved TMDL). The substantially identical outfall monitoring provisions are not available for numeric effluent limits monitoring. The permittee shall include the following information in the SWPPP:

(1) The locations of the outfalls;

(2) An evaluation, including available monitoring data, indicating the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical effluents, including evaluation of monitoring data where available; and

(3) An estimate of the size of each outfall's drainage area in acres.

3. Adverse climatic conditions waiver. When adverse weather conditions prevent the collection of samples, a substitute sample may be taken during a qualifying storm event in the next monitoring period. Adverse weather conditions are those that are dangerous or create inaccessibility for staff and may include local flooding, high winds, electrical storms, or situations that otherwise make sampling impracticable (e.g., drought or extended frozen conditions). Unless specifically stated otherwise, this waiver may be applied to any monitoring required under this permit. Narrative documentation of conditions necessitating the use of the waiver shall be kept with the SWPPP.

4. Inactive and unstaffed sites (including temporarily inactive sites).

a. A waiver of the quarterly visual monitoring, routine facility inspections, and monitoring requirements (including benchmark, effluent limitation, and impaired waters monitoring) may be granted by the department at a facility that is both inactive and unstaffed, as long as the facility remains inactive and unstaffed and there are no industrial materials or activities exposed to stormwater. The owner of the facility is only required to conduct an annual routine site inspection in accordance with the requirements in Part III B 5.

b. An inactive and unstaffed sites waiver request shall be submitted to the department for approval and shall include the name of the facility; the facility's VPDES general permit registration number; a contact person, telephone number, and email address; the reason for the request; and the date the facility became or will become inactive and unstaffed. The waiver request shall be signed and certified in accordance with Part II K. If this waiver is granted, a copy of the request and the department's written approval of the waiver shall be maintained with the SWPPP.

c. If circumstances change and industrial materials or activities become exposed to stormwater or the facility becomes either active or staffed, the permittee shall notify the department within 30 days, and all quarterly visual monitoring, routine facility inspections, and monitoring requirements shall be resumed immediately.

d. The department retains the right to revoke this waiver when it is determined that the discharge is causing, has a reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to a water quality standards violation.

e. Inactive and unstaffed facilities covered under Sector G (Metal Mining) and Sector H (Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities) are not required to meet the "no industrial materials or activities exposed to stormwater" standard to be eligible for this waiver, consistent with the conditional exemption requirements established in Part IV Sector G and Part IV Sector H.

5. Reporting monitoring results.

a. Reporting to the department. The permittee shall follow the reporting requirements and deadlines in Table 70-4 for the types of monitoring that apply to the facility:

Permittees shall submit results for each outfall associated with industrial activity according to the requirements of Part II C.

b. Significant digits. The permittee shall report at least the same number of significant digits as a numeric effluent limitation or TMDL wasteload allocation for a given parameter; otherwise, at least two significant digits shall be reported for a given parameter. Regardless of the rounding convention used by the permittee (i.e., five always rounding up or to the nearest even number), the permittee shall use the convention consistently and shall ensure that consulting laboratories employed by the permittee use the same convention.

6. Corrective actions.

a. The permittee shall take corrective action whenever:

(1) Routine facility inspections, inspections by local, state or federal officials, or any other process, observation or event result in a determination that modifications to the stormwater control measures are necessary to meet the permit requirements;

(2) There is any exceedance of an effluent limitation (including coal pile runoff), TMDL wasteload allocation, or a reduction required by a local ordinance established by a municipality to meet Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirements;

(3) The department determines, or the permittee becomes aware, that the stormwater control measures are not stringent enough for the discharge to meet applicable water quality standards; or

(4) Benchmark monitoring results exceed the benchmark concentration value for a parameter.

The permittee shall review the SWPPP and modify it as necessary to address any deficiencies. Revisions to the SWPPP shall be completed within 60 days following the discovery of the deficiency. When control measures need to be modified or added (distinct from regular preventive maintenance of existing control measures described in Part III C), implementation shall be completed before the next anticipated storm event if possible, but no later than 60 days after the deficiency is discovered, or as otherwise provided or approved by the department. In cases where construction is necessary to implement control measures, the permittee shall include a schedule in the SWPPP that provides for the completion of the control measures as expeditiously as practicable, but no later than three years after the deficiency is discovered. Where a construction compliance schedule is included in the SWPPP, the SWPPP shall include appropriate nonstructural and temporary controls to be implemented in the affected portion of the facility before completion of the permanent control measure. Any corrective actions taken shall be documented and retained with the SWPPP. Any control measure modifications shall be dated and document the amount of time taken to modify the applicable control measures or implement additional control measures.

b. Natural background pollutant levels. If the concentration of a pollutant exceeds a benchmark concentration value and the permittee determines that exceedance of the benchmark is attributable solely to the presence of that pollutant in the natural background, corrective action is not required provided that:

(1) The concentration of the benchmark monitoring result is less than or equal to the concentration of that pollutant in the natural background;

(2) The permittee documents and maintains with the SWPPP the supporting rationale for concluding that benchmark exceedances are in fact attributable solely to natural background pollutant levels. The supporting rationale shall include any data previously collected by the facility or others (including literature studies) that describe the levels of natural background pollutants in the facility's stormwater discharges; and

(3) The permittee notifies the department on the benchmark monitoring DMR that the benchmark exceedances are attributable solely to natural background pollutant levels. Natural background pollutants include those substances that are naturally occurring in soils or groundwater. Natural background pollutants do not include legacy pollutants from earlier activity on the facility's site, or pollutants in run-on from neighboring sources that are not naturally occurring.

c. Follow-up reporting. If at any time monitoring results show that discharges from the facility exceed an effluent limitation or a TMDL wasteload allocation, or the department determines that discharges from the facility are causing or contributing to an exceedance of a water quality standard, immediate steps shall be taken to eliminate the exceedances in accordance with Part I A 6. Within 30 calendar days of implementing the relevant corrective action, an exceedance report shall be submitted to the department and shall be signed in accordance with Part II K. The following information shall be included in the report:

(1) General permit registration number;

(2) Facility name and address;

(3) Receiving water for each outfall exceeding an effluent limitation of TMDL wasteload allocation;

(4) Monitoring data from the event being reported;

(5) A narrative description of the situation;

(6) A description of actions taken since the event was discovered and steps taken to minimize to the extent feasible pollutants in the discharge; and

(7) A local facility contact name, email address, and phone number.

B. Special conditions.

1. Authorized nonstormwater discharges. Except as provided in this section or in Part IV, all discharges covered by this permit shall be composed entirely of stormwater. 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 flushings, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;

c. Potable water, including water line flushings, 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 fertilizer have been applied in accordance with the approved labeling;

g. 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;

h. Pavement washwaters, provided no soaps, solvents, detergents, or hazardous cleaning products are used, and 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;

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).

All other nonstormwater discharges are not authorized and shall either be eliminated or covered under a separate VPDES permit.

2. Releases of hazardous substances or oil in excess of reportable quantities. The discharge of hazardous substances or oil in the stormwater discharges from the facility shall be prevented or minimized in accordance with the SWPPP for the facility. This permit does not authorize the discharge of hazardous substances or oil resulting from an on-site spill. This permit does not relieve the permittee of the reporting requirements of 40 CFR Part 110, 40 CFR Part 117, and 40 CFR Part 302 or § 62.1-44.34:19 of the Code of Virginia.

Where a release containing a hazardous substance or oil in an amount equal to or in excess of a reportable quantity established under either 40 CFR Part 110, 40 CFR Part 117, or 40 CFR Part 302 occurs during a 24-hour period:

a. The permittee is required to notify the department in accordance with the requirements of Part II G as soon as he has knowledge of the discharge;

b. Where a release enters an MS4, the permittee shall also notify the owner of the MS4; and

c. The SWPPP required under Part III shall be reviewed to identify measures to prevent the reoccurrence of the releases and to respond to the releases, and the SWPPP shall be modified where appropriate.

3. Colocated industrial activity. If the facility has industrial activities occurring on-site that are described by any of the activities in Part IV of the permit, those industrial activities are considered to be colocated industrial activities. Stormwater discharges from colocated industrial activities are authorized by this permit, provided that the permittee complies with any and all additional SWPPP and monitoring requirements from Part IV applicable to that particular colocated industrial activity. The permittee shall be responsible for additional SWPPP and monitoring requirements applicable to the colocated industrial activity by examining the narrative descriptions of all discharges covered under this section.

4. 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.

5. There shall be no discharge of waste, garbage, or floating debris in other than trace amounts.

6. Approval for coverage under this general permit does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.

7. Discharges to waters subject to TMDL wasteload allocations. Owners of facilities that are a source of the specified pollutant of concern to waters for which a TMDL wasteload allocation has been approved by EPA before the term of this permit shall incorporate measures and controls into the SWPPP required by Part III that are consistent with the assumptions and requirements of the TMDL. The department will provide written notification to the owner that a facility is subject to the TMDL requirements. The facility's SWPPP shall specifically address any conditions or requirements included in the TMDL that are applicable to discharges from the facility. If the TMDL establishes a specific numeric wasteload allocation that applies to discharges from the facility, the owner shall perform any required monitoring in accordance with Part I A 1 c (3), and implement control measures designed to meet that allocation.

8. Discharges through a regulated MS4 to waters subject to the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. In addition to the requirements of this permit, any facility with industrial activity stormwater discharges through a regulated MS4 that is notified by the MS4 operator that the locality has adopted ordinances to meet the Chesapeake Bay TMDL shall incorporate measures and controls into its SWPPP to comply with applicable local TMDL ordinance requirements.

9. Expansion of facilities that discharge to waters subject to the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Virginia's Phase I Chesapeake Bay TMDL Watershed Implementation Plan (November 29, 2010), states that the wasteloads from any expansion of an existing permitted facility discharging stormwater in the Chesapeake Bay watershed cannot exceed the nutrient and sediment loadings that were discharged from the expanded portion of the land prior to the land being developed for the expanded industrial activity.

a. For any industrial activity area expansions (i.e., construction activities, including clearing, grading, and excavation activities) that begin on or after July 1, 2024, the permittee shall document in the SWPPP the information and calculations used to determine the nutrient and sediment loadings discharged from the expanded land area before the land was developed, and the measures and controls that were employed to meet the no net increase of stormwater nutrient and sediment load as a result of the expansion of the industrial activity. Any land disturbance that is exempt from permitting under the VPDES construction stormwater general permit regulation (9VAC25-880) is exempt from this requirement.

b. The permittee may use the water quality design criteria, 9VAC25-875-580, to meet the requirements of Part I B 10 a. Under this criteria, the total phosphorus load shall not exceed the greater of (i) the total phosphorus load that was discharged from the expanded portion of the land before the land being developed for the industrial activity or (ii) 0.41 pounds per acre per year. Compliance with the water quality design criteria may be determined utilizing the Virginia Runoff Reduction Method or another equivalent methodology approved by the department. Design specifications and pollutant removal efficiencies for specific BMPs can be found on the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse website.

c. The permittee may consider utilization of any pollutant trading or offset program in accordance with §§ 62.1-44.19:20 through 62.1-44.19:23 of the Code of Virginia, governing trading and offsetting, to meet the no net increase requirement.

10. Water quality protection. The discharges authorized by this permit shall be controlled as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards. The department expects that compliance with the conditions in this permit will control discharges as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards.

11. Adding or deleting stormwater outfalls. The permittee may add new or delete existing stormwater outfalls at the facility as necessary and appropriate. The permittee shall update the SWPPP and notify the department of all outfall changes within 30 days of the change. The permittee shall submit a copy of the updated SWPPP site map with this notification.

12. Antidegradation requirements for new or increased discharges to high quality waters. Facilities that add new outfalls, or increase their discharges from existing outfalls that discharge directly to high quality waters designated under Virginia's water quality standards antidegradation policy under 9VAC25-260-30 A 2 may be notified by the department that additional control measures, or other permit conditions are necessary to comply with the applicable antidegradation requirements, or may be notified that an individual permit is required in accordance with 9VAC25-31-170 B 3.

13. Termination of permit coverage.

a. The owner may terminate coverage under this general permit by filing a notice of termination with the department. The notice of termination may be filed after one or more of the following conditions have been met:

(1) Operations have ceased at the facility and there are no longer discharges of stormwater associated with industrial activity from the facility;

(2) A new owner has assumed responsibility for the facility. A notice of termination does not have to be submitted if a VPDES Change of Ownership Agreement Form has been submitted;

(3) All stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity have been covered by an individual VPDES permit; or

(4) Termination of coverage is being requested for another reason, provided the department agrees that coverage under this general permit is no longer needed.

b. The notice of termination shall contain the following information:

(1) Owner's name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address (if available);

(2) Facility name and location;

(3) VPDES industrial stormwater general permit registration number;

(4) The basis for submitting the notice of termination, including:

(a) A statement indicating that a new owner has assumed responsibility for the facility;

(b) A statement indicating that operations have ceased at the facility, and there are no longer discharges of stormwater associated with industrial activity from the facility;

(c) A statement indicating that all stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity have been covered by an individual VPDES permit; or

(d) A statement indicating that termination of coverage is being requested for another reason and a description of the reason; and

(5) The following certification: "I certify under penalty of law that all stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity from the identified facility that are authorized by this VPDES general permit have been eliminated, or covered under a VPDES individual permit, or that I am no longer the owner of the industrial activity, or permit coverage should be terminated for another reason listed above. I understand that by submitting this notice of termination, that I am no longer authorized to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity in accordance with the general permit, and that discharging pollutants in stormwater associated with industrial activity to surface waters is unlawful where the discharge is not authorized by a VPDES permit. I also understand that the submittal of this notice of termination does not release an owner from liability for any violations of this permit or the Clean Water Act."

c. The notice of termination shall be signed in accordance with Part II K.

d. The notice of termination shall be submitted to the DEQ regional office serving the area where the industrial facility is located.

Part II

Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits

A. Monitoring.

1. Samples and measurements taken as required by this permit shall be representative of the monitored activity.

2. Monitoring shall be conducted according to procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or alternative methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, unless other procedures have been specified in this permit.

3. The permittee shall periodically calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring and analytical instrumentation at intervals that will ensure accuracy of measurements.

4. Samples taken as required by this permit shall be analyzed in accordance with 1VAC30-45 (Certification for Noncommercial Environmental Laboratories) or 1VAC30-46 (Accreditation for Commercial Environmental Laboratories).

B. Records.

1. Records of monitoring information shall include:

a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;

b. The individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;

c. The dates and times analyses were performed;

d. The individuals who performed the analyses;

e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and

f. The results of the analyses.

2. The permittee shall retain copies of the SWPPP, including any modifications made during the term of this permit, records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the registration statement for this permit, for a period of at least three years from the date that coverage under this permit expires or is terminated. This period of retention shall be extended automatically during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding the regulated activity or regarding control standards applicable to the permittee, or as requested by the department.

C. Reporting monitoring results.

1. The permittee shall submit the results of the monitoring required by this permit not later than the 10th day of the month after monitoring takes place, unless another reporting schedule is specified elsewhere in this permit. Monitoring results shall be submitted to the department's regional office.

2. Monitoring results shall be reported in the department's electronic discharge monitoring report (e-DMR) system. All reports and forms submitted in compliance with this permit shall be submitted electronically by the permittee in accordance with 9VAC25-31-1020.

3. If the permittee monitors any pollutant specifically addressed by this permit more frequently than required by this permit using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or using other test procedures approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or using procedures specified in this permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in e-DMR or reporting form specified by the department.

4. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in this permit.

D. Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information that the department may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating coverage under this permit or to determine compliance with this permit. The department may require the permittee to furnish on request plans, specifications, and other pertinent information as may be necessary to determine the effect of the wastes from the discharge on the quality of state waters, or other information as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the State Water Control Law. The permittee shall also furnish to the department on request copies of records required to be kept by this permit.

E. Compliance schedule reports. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date.

F. Unauthorized discharges. Except in compliance with this permit, or another permit issued by the department, it shall be unlawful for any person to:

1. Discharge into state waters sewage, industrial wastes, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substances; or

2. Otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of state waters and make them detrimental to the public health, or to animal or aquatic life, or to the use of state waters for domestic or industrial consumption, for recreation, or for other uses.

G. Reports of unauthorized discharges. Any permittee who discharges or causes or allows a discharge of sewage, industrial waste, other wastes or any noxious or deleterious substance into or upon state waters in violation of Part II F; or who discharges or causes or allows a discharge that may reasonably be expected to enter state waters in violation of Part II F, shall notify the department of the discharge immediately upon discovery of the discharge, but in no case later than 24 hours after the discovery. A written report of the unauthorized discharge shall be submitted to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge. The written report shall contain:

1. A description of the nature and location of the discharge;

2. The cause of the discharge;

3. The date on which the discharge occurred;

4. The length of time that the discharge continued;

5. The volume of the discharge;

6. If the discharge is continuing, how long it is expected to continue;

7. If the discharge is continuing, what the expected total volume of the discharge will be; and

8. Any steps planned or taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent a recurrence of the present discharge or any future discharges not authorized by this permit.

Discharges reportable to the department under the immediate reporting requirements of other regulations are exempted from this requirement.

H. Reports of unusual or extraordinary discharges. If any unusual or extraordinary discharge including a bypass or upset should occur from a treatment works and the discharge enters or could be expected to enter state waters, the permittee shall promptly notify, in no case later than 24 hours, the department after the discovery of the discharge. This notification shall provide all available details of the incident, including any adverse effects on aquatic life and the known number of fish killed. The permittee shall reduce the report to writing and shall submit it to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge in accordance with Part II I 1 b. Unusual and extraordinary discharges include any discharge resulting from:

1. Unusual spillage of materials resulting directly or indirectly from processing operations;

2. Breakdown of processing or accessory equipment;

3. Failure or taking out of service some or all of the treatment works; and

4. Flooding or other acts of nature.

I. Reports of noncompliance.

1. The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may adversely affect state waters or may endanger public health.

a. A report shall be provided within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The following shall be included as information that shall be reported within 24 hours under Part II I:

(1) Any unanticipated bypass; and

(2) Any upset that causes a discharge to surface waters.

b. A written report shall be submitted within five days and shall contain:

(1) A description of the noncompliance and its cause;

(2) The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and

(3) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.

The department may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis for reports of noncompliance under Part II I if the oral report has been received within 24 hours and no adverse impact on state waters has been reported.

2. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Part II I 1 in writing at the time the next monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in Part II I 1.

3. The immediate (within 24 hours) reports required in Part II G, H and I shall be made to the department's regional office. Reports may be made by telephone or online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/pollution-response. For reports outside normal working hours, the online portal shall be used. For emergencies, call the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's Emergency Operations Center (24-hours) at 1-800-468-8892.

J. Notice of planned changes.

1. The permittee shall give notice to the department as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when:

a. The permittee plans alteration or addition to any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which began:

(1) After promulgation of standards of performance under § 306 of the Clean Water Act which are applicable to the source; or

(2) After proposal of standards of performance in accordance with § 306 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to the source, but only if the standards are promulgated in accordance with § 306 within 120 days of their proposal;

b. The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants that are subject neither to effluent limitations nor to notification requirements specified elsewhere in this permit; or

c. The alteration or addition results in a significant change in the permittee's sludge use or disposal practices, and the alteration, addition, or change may justify the application of permit conditions that are different from or absent in the existing permit, including notification of additional use or disposal sites not reported during the permit application process or not reported pursuant to an approved land application plan.

2. The permittee shall give advance notice to the department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.

K. Signatory requirements.

1. Registration statement. All registration statements shall be signed as follows:

a. For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this section, a responsible corporate officer means (i) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making or decision-making functions for the corporation; or (ii) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities, provided the manager is authorized to make management decisions that govern the operation of the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiating and directing other comprehensive measures to ensure long-term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for permit registration requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures;

b. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or

c. For a municipality, state, federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a public agency includes (i) the chief executive officer of the agency, or (ii) a senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency.

2. Reports. All reports required by permits, and other information requested by the department shall be signed by a person described in Part II K 1 or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:

a. The authorization is made in writing by a person described in Part II K 1;

b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity (e.g., the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, position of equivalent responsibility, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company). A duly authorized representative may be a named individual or any individual occupying a named position; and

c. The written authorization is submitted to the department.

3. Changes to authorization. If an authorization under Part II K 2 is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Part II K 2 shall be submitted to the department before or together with any reports, or information to be signed by an authorized representative.

4. Certification. Any person signing a document under Part II K 1 or 2 shall make the following certification:

"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."

L. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions of this permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the State Water Control Law and the Clean Water Act, except that noncompliance with certain provisions of this permit may constitute a violation of the State Water Control Law but not the Clean Water Act. Permit noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action; for permit coverage termination or denial of a permit coverage renewal.

The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under § 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards even if this permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.

M. Duty to reapply. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration date of this permit, the permittee shall submit a new registration statement at least 60 days before the expiration date of the existing permit, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the department. The department shall not grant permission for registration statements to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.

N. Effect of a permit. This permit neither conveys any property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges nor authorizes any injury to private property or invasion of personal rights, or any infringement of federal, state, or local law or regulations.

O. State law. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action under, or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any other state law or regulation or under authority preserved by § 510 of the Clean Water Act. Except as provided in permit conditions on bypassing as described in Part II U and upset as described in Part II V, nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.

P. Oil and hazardous substance liability. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee is or may be subject under §§ 62.1-44.34:14 through 62.1-44.34:23 of the State Water Control Law.

Q. Proper operation and maintenance. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance also includes effective plant performance, adequate funding, adequate staffing, and adequate laboratory and process controls, including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems that are installed by the permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit.

R. Disposal of solids or sludges. Solids, sludges, or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or management of pollutants shall be disposed of in a manner so as to prevent any pollutant from the materials from entering state waters.

S. Duty to mitigate. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.

T. Need to halt or reduce activity not a defense. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.

U. Bypass.

1. "Bypass" means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility. The permittee may allow any bypass to occur that does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of Part II U 2 and 3.

2. Notice.

a. Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, prior notice shall be submitted, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass.

b. Unanticipated bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as required in Part II I.

3. Prohibition of bypass.

a. Bypass is prohibited, and the department may take enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, unless:

(1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;

(2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass (e.g., the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime). This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance; and

(3) The permittee submitted notices as required under Part II U 2.

b. The department may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects, if the department determines that it will meet the three conditions listed in Part II U 3 a.

V. Upset.

1. An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations if the requirements of Part II V 2 are met. A determination made during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused by upset, and before an action for noncompliance, is not a final administrative action subject to judicial review.

2. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:

a. An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the causes of the upset;

b. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;

c. The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Part II I; and

d. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Part II S.

3. In any enforcement proceeding the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.

W. Inspection and entry. The permittee shall allow the director, or an authorized representative, including an authorized contractor acting as a representative of the administrator, upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to:

1. Enter on the permittee's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of this permit;

2. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of this permit;

3. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and

4. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law, any substances or parameters at any location.

For purposes of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours, and whenever the facility is discharging. Nothing contained in this general permit shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency.

X. Permit actions. Permit coverages may be terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit termination or a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.

Y. Transfer of permits.

1. Permits are not transferable to any person except after notice to the department.

2. Coverage under this permit may be automatically transferred to a new permittee if:

a. The current permittee notifies the department within 30 days of the transfer of the title to the facility or property, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the department;

b. The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittees containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them; and

c. The department does not notify the existing permittee and the proposed new permittee of its intent to deny the new permittee coverage under the permit. If this notice is not received, the transfer is effective on the date specified in the agreement mentioned in Part II Y 2 b.

Z. Severability. The provisions of this permit are severable, and if any provision of this permit or the application of any provision of this permit to any circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder of this permit, shall not be affected thereby.