Virginia Law

Chapter 110. Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit Regulation for Domestic Sewage Discharges of Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons Per Day

9VAC25-110-10. Definitions.

The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the same meanings as given in the State Water Control Law, Chapter 3.1 (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq.) of Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia and the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31), unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, except that for the purposes of this chapter:

"7Q10" means the lowest flow averaged over a period of seven consecutive days that can be statistically expected to occur once every 10 years.

"Board" means the State Water Control Board. When used outside the context of the promulgation of regulations, including regulations to establish general permits, "board" means the Department of Environmental Quality.

"Combined application" means the Virginia Department of Health Discharging System Application for Single Family Dwellings Discharging Sewage Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons per Day and State Water Control Board Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit Registration Statement for Domestic Sewage Discharges Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons per Day. This application combines the VDH Alternative Discharging Sewage Treatment Regulations for Individual Single Family Dwellings (12VAC5-640) requirements with the board's registration statement requirements.

"Department" or "DEQ" means the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

"Domestic sewage" means the water-carried human wastes from residences, buildings, industrial establishments, or other places.

"Individual single family dwelling" means a structure, including any accessory structure such as a garage or pool house, housing one family or household or one that is designed for one family only. When a treatment works serving an individual single family dwelling has additional unused connections, it remains a treatment works serving an individual single family dwelling until such time that an additional single family dwelling is connected to the treatment works.

"Receiving water" means a creek, stream, river, lake, estuary, groundwater formation, or other body of water into which treated waste or untreated waste is discharged.

"Total maximum daily load" or "TMDL" means a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. A TMDL includes wasteload allocations (WLAs) for point source discharges, and load allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources or natural background or both, and must include a margin of safety (MOS) and account for seasonal variations.

"VDH" means the Virginia Department of Health.

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 VR680-14-09 § 1, eff. July 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. August 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 4, eff. November 30, 2005; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2011; Volume 32, Issue 13, eff. August 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 4, eff. November 9, 2022.

9VAC25-110-15. Applicability of incorporated references based on the dates that they became effective.

Except as noted, when a regulation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set forth in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is referenced and incorporated herein, that regulation shall be as it exists and has been published as of July 1, 2021.

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 32, Issue 13, eff. August 2, 2016; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2021.

9VAC25-110-20. Purpose;  effective date of permit.

A. This general permit regulation governs domestic sewage discharges to surface waters from treatment works with a design discharge flow of less than or equal to 1,000 gallons per day on a monthly average.

B. This general VPDES permit will become effective on August 2, 2021, and it expires on July 31, 2026. With respect to a particular dwelling, building, or site served, this general permit shall become effective upon the dwelling, building, or site served owner's compliance with the provisions of 9VAC25-110-60.

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 VR680-14-09 § 2, eff. July 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. August 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 4, eff. November 30, 2005; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2011; Volume 32, Issue 13, eff. August 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 4, eff. November 9, 2022.

9VAC25-110-30. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-14-09 § 3, eff. July 1, 1992; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996.

9VAC25-110-40. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-14-09 § 4, eff. July 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. August 1, 2001.

9VAC25-110-60. Authorization to discharge.

A. Any owner of a treatment works governed by this general permit is hereby authorized to discharge treated domestic sewage to surface waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia provided that:

1. The owner submits a registration statement, if required to do so, in accordance with 9VAC25-110-70 and that registration statement is accepted by the board. For an individual single family dwelling, the owner shall submit a combined application in place of a registration statement;

2. The owner complies with the effluent limitations and other requirements of 9VAC25-110-80; and

3. The board has not notified the owner, in accordance with subsection B of this section, that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this permit.

B. The board will notify an owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this permit in the event of any of the following:

1. The owner is required to obtain an individual VPDES permit in accordance with 9VAC25-31-170 B 3 of the VPDES Permit Regulation;

2. The owner is proposing to discharge to surface waters specifically named in other board regulations that prohibit such discharges;

3. The owner is proposing to discharge to surface waters in an area where there are central sewage facilities reasonably available, as determined by the board;

4. The owner of any proposed treatment works or any treatment works that has not previously been issued a VPDES permit has applied to the Virginia Department of Health for an onsite sewage disposal system permit, and the Virginia Department of Health has determined that an onsite system is available to serve that parcel of land in accordance with the criteria in 12VAC5-640;

5. The discharge would violate the antidegradation policy stated in 9VAC25-260-30 of the Virginia Water Quality Standards; or

6. The discharge is not consistent with the assumptions and requirements of an approved TMDL.

C. Compliance with this general permit constitutes compliance, for purposes of enforcement, with the federal Clean Water Act §§ 301, 302, 306, 307, 318, 403, and 405 (a) through (b), 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 VPDES permit does not relieve any owner of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state or local statute, ordinance or regulation, including, for owners of sewage treatment works that serve individual single family dwellings, the Alternative Discharging Sewage Treatment Regulations for Individual Single Family Dwellings (12VAC5-640) of the Virginia Department of Health adopted pursuant to §§ 32.1-12, 32.1-163, and 32.1-164 of the Code of Virginia and, for owners of sewage treatment works that serve buildings or dwellings other than individual single family dwellings, the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) adopted by the State Water Control Board pursuant to § 62.1-44.19 of the Code of Virginia.

D. Continuation of permit coverage.

1. Permit coverage shall expire at the end of the applicable permit term. However, expiring permit coverages are continued if the owner has submitted a complete registration statement or, for an individual single family dwelling, a combined application, at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the permit, or a later submittal date established by the board, which cannot extend beyond the expiration date of the permit. Where the expiring permit coverage was originally based on automatic renewal as found in 9VAC25-110-70 A 2 b, such coverage is continued provided the owner continues to meet the automatic renewal criteria. The permittee is authorized to continue to discharge until such time as the board 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 board may choose to do any or all of the following:

a. Initiate enforcement action based upon the general permit coverage that has been continued;

b. Issue a notice of intent to deny coverage under the reissued general permit. If the general permit coverage is denied, the owner would then be required to cease the discharges authorized by the administratively continued coverage or be subject to enforcement action for operating 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 VR680-14-09 § 6, eff. July 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. August 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 4, eff. November 30, 2005; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2011; Volume 32, Issue 13, eff. August 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2021.

9VAC25-110-70. Registration statement.

A. Deadlines for submitting registration statement. Any owner seeking coverage under this general permit, and who is required to submit a registration statement, shall submit a complete VPDES general permit registration statement in accordance with this section, which shall serve as a notice of intent for coverage under the VPDES General Permit for Domestic Sewage Discharges of Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons per Day. For an individual single family dwelling, the owner shall submit a combined application in place of the registration statement.

1. New treatment works. Any owner proposing a new discharge shall submit a complete registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, to the department at least 60 days prior to the date planned for commencing operation of the treatment works or a later submittal date established by the board.

2. Existing treatment works.

a. Any owner of an existing treatment works covered by an VPDES individual permit who is proposing to be covered by this general permit shall submit a complete registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, at least 240 days prior to the expiration date of the individual VPDES permit or a later submittal date established by the board.

b. Any owner of a treatment works that was authorized to discharge under the expiring general permit and who intends to continue coverage under this general permit, is automatically covered by this general permit and is not required to submit a registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, if:

(1) The ownership of the treatment works has not changed since the registration statement or combined application for coverage under the expiring general permit was submitted, or, if the ownership has changed (i) a new registration statement or combined application or (ii) VPDES Change of Ownership form was submitted to the department by the new owner at the time of the title transfer;

(2) There has been no change in the design or operation, or both, of the treatment works since the registration statement or combined application for coverage under the expiring general permit was submitted;

(3) For treatment works serving individual single family dwellings, VDH has no objection to the automatic permit coverage renewal for this treatment works based on system performance issues, enforcement issues, or other issues sufficient to the board. If VDH objects to the automatic renewal for this treatment works, the owner will be notified by the board in writing; and

(4) For treatment works serving buildings or dwellings other than individual single family dwellings, the board has no objection to the automatic permit coverage renewal for this treatment works based on system performance issues, enforcement issues, or other issues sufficient to the board. If the board objects to the automatic renewal for this treatment works, the owner will be notified by the board in writing.

c. Any owner of a treatment works that was authorized to discharge under the expiring general permit that does not qualify for automatic permit coverage renewal shall submit a complete registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, to the department at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the existing general permit or a later submittal date established by the board.

3. Late registration statements. Registration statements, or for individual single family dwellings combined applications, for existing treatment works not covered under subdivision 2 b of this subsection will be accepted after the expiration of the existing general permit but authorization to discharge will not be retroactive.

B. Registration statement. The registration statement shall contain the following information:

1. a. Indicate if the building served by the treatment works is an individual single family dwelling. (If it is an individual single family dwelling, see the requirement to submit a combined application in 9VAC25-110-60 A 1.) If the building is not an individual single family dwelling, describe the use of the building or site served.

b. Name and street address of the building or site served by the treatment works.

2. a. Name, mailing address, email address (where available), and telephone number of the owner of the treatment works. Indicate if the owner is or will be the occupant of the dwelling or building served by the treatment works.

b. If the owner is not or will not be the occupant of the dwelling or building, provide an alternate contact name, mailing address, email address (where available), and telephone number of the dwelling or building, if available.

3. Name of the water body receiving the discharge. Outfall latitude and longitude. Indicate if the discharge point is on a stream that usually flows during dry weather.

4. The amount of discharge from the treatment works, in gallons per day, on a monthly average, and the design flow of the treatment works, in gallons per day.

5. A description of any pollutants, other than domestic sewage, to be discharged.

6. For a proposed treatment works, indicate if there are central sewage facilities available to serve the building or site.

7. If the treatment works currently has a VPDES permit, provide the permit number. Indicate if the treatment works has been built and begun discharging.

8. For the owner of any proposed treatment works or any treatment works that has not previously been issued a VPDES permit:

a. A 7.5 minute U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map or equivalent (e.g., a computer generated map) that indicates the discharge point, the location of the property to be served by the treatment works, and the location of any wells, springs, other water bodies, and any residences within 1/2 mile downstream from the discharge point;

b. A site diagram of the existing or proposed treatment works; to include the property boundaries, the location of the dwelling, building, or site served, the individual sewage treatment units, the receiving water body, and the discharge line location; and

c. A copy of the notification from the Virginia Department of Health that an onsite sewage disposal system permit was applied for and that the Virginia Department of Health has determined that an onsite system cannot be constructed to serve that parcel of land.

9. Operation and maintenance.

a. For the owner of a treatment works serving an individual single family dwelling, operation and maintenance requirements are specified in VDH regulations at 12VAC5-640;

b. For the owner of a treatment works serving a building or dwelling other than an individual single family dwelling, operation and maintenance must be consistent with Part I D 2 b, which requires that such owners engage a licensed operator.

10. State Corporation Commission entity identification number for dwellings other than individual single family dwellings if the facility is required to obtain an entity identification number by law.

11. The following certification: "I hereby grant to duly authorized agents of the Department of Environmental Quality, upon presentation of credentials, permission to enter the property where the treatment works is located for the purpose of determining compliance with or the suitability of coverage under the General Permit. 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."

C. The registration statement or combined application shall be signed in accordance with 9VAC25-31-110 A of the VPDES Permit Regulation.

D. The registration statement or combined application shall be delivered to the department's regional office serving the area where the treatment facility is located by either postal or electronic mail. Following notification from the department of the start date for the required electronic submission of Notices of Intent to discharge forms (i.e., registration statements or combined applications), as provided for in 9VAC25-31-1020, such forms submitted after that date shall be electronically submitted to the department in compliance with this section and 9VAC25-31-1020. There shall be at least three months' notice provided between the notification from the department and the date after which such forms must be submitted electronically.

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 VR680-14-09 § 7, eff. July 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. August 1, 2001; Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 4, eff. November 30, 2005; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2011; Volume 32, Issue 13, eff. August 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2021.

9VAC25-110-80. General permit.

Any owner whose registration statement is accepted by the board, or whose permit coverage is automatically renewed, shall comply with the requirements contained herein and be subject to all requirements of 9VAC25-31-170.

General Permit No.: VAG40
Effective Date: August 2, 2021
Expiration Date: July 31, 2026

GENERAL PERMIT FOR DOMESTIC SEWAGE DISCHARGES OF LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 1,000 GALLONS PER DAY

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 (33 USC § 1251 et seq.), as amended, and pursuant to the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, owners of treatment works with domestic sewage discharges of a design flow of less than or equal to 1,000 gallons per day on a monthly average are authorized to discharge to surface waters within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except those waters specifically named in board regulations that prohibit such discharges.

The authorized discharge shall be in accordance with the information submitted with the registration statement or combined application, this cover page, Part I-Effluent Limitations, Monitoring Requirements and Special Conditions, and Part II-Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits, as set forth herein.

Part I
Effluent Limitations, Monitoring Requirements and Special Conditions

A. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements - receiving waters where the 7Q10 flows are less than 0.2 MGD.

1. During the period beginning with the permit's effective date and lasting until the permit's expiration date, the permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall number 001 to receiving waters where the 7Q10 flows are less than 0.2 MGD.

The discharge shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified in the following table:

2. All monitoring data required by Part I A 1 shall be maintained on site in accordance with Part II B. Monitoring results for treatment works serving buildings or dwellings other than individual single family dwellings shall be submitted to the department on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) no later than the 10th of September following the monitoring period. The monitoring period is September 1 through August 31. A copy of the maintenance log required by Part I D 2 b (2) (e) shall also be submitted with the DMR. Monitoring results for treatment works serving individual single family dwellings are submitted to the Virginia Department of Health in accordance with 12VAC5-640.

3. The 30-day average percent removal for BOD₅ and total suspended solids shall not be less than 85%.

B. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements - receiving waters where the 7Q10 flows are equal to or greater than 0.2 MGD.

1. During the period beginning with the permit's effective date and lasting until the permit's expiration date, the permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall number 001 to receiving waters where the 7Q10 flows are equal to or greater than 0.2 MGD.

The discharge shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified in the following table:

2. All monitoring data required by Part I B 1 shall be maintained on site in accordance with Part II B. Monitoring results for treatment works serving buildings or dwellings other than individual single family dwellings shall be submitted to the department on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) no later than the 10th of September following the monitoring period. The monitoring period is September 1 through August 31. A copy of the maintenance log required by Part I D 2 b (2) (e) shall also be submitted with the DMR. Monitoring results for treatment works serving individual single family dwellings are submitted to the Virginia Department of Health in accordance with 12VAC5-640.

3. The 30-day average percent removal for BOD₅ and total suspended solids shall not be less than 85%.

C. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements - discharges to receiving waters subject to the Policy for the Potomac River Embayments (9VAC25-415).

1. During the period beginning with the permit's effective date and lasting until the permit's expiration date, the permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall number 001 to receiving waters subject to the Policy for the Potomac River Embayments (9VAC25-415).

Discharges subject to the requirements in 9VAC25-415-40⁽¹⁾ shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified in the following table:

2. All monitoring data required by Part I C 1 shall be maintained on site in accordance with Part II B. Monitoring results shall be submitted to the department on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) no later than the 10th day of the month following the monitoring period. The quarterly monitoring periods shall be January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December. A copy of the maintenance log required by Part I D 2 b (2) (e) shall also be submitted with the DMR. Monitoring results for treatment works serving individual single family dwellings shall also be submitted to the Virginia Department of Health in accordance with 12VAC5-640.

3. The 30-day average percent removal for BOD₅ and total suspended solids shall not be less than 85%.

D. Special conditions.

1. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

2. Operation and maintenance.

a. Treatment works serving individual single family dwellings. Operation and maintenance requirements for treatment works serving individual single family dwellings are specified in the Virginia Department of Health regulations at 12VAC5-640.

b. Treatment works serving buildings or dwellings other than individual single family dwellings.

(1) To ensure the treatment works is operated, maintained, monitored, and reported properly, the permittee shall engage a licensed operator as defined in subdivision D 3 of this section.

(2) The permittee shall:

(a) Have the system operated and maintained by a licensed operator, including the responsibilities specified in Part I D 2 b (3);

(b) Have a licensed operator visit the system at least semiannually;

(c) Have a licensed operator collect, analyze, and submit to the department any samples required under Part I A, Part I B, or Part I C, as appropriate, of this general permit;

(d) Provide prompt maintenance and repair of the treatment works once notified by the operator that repair or maintenance is necessary. The owner is responsible for all costs associated with the maintenance or repair. Immediately upon receipt of notice that repair or maintenance is required, the owner shall begin emergency pump and haul of all sewage generated from the building or dwelling or otherwise ensure that no discharge occurs if full and complete repairs cannot be accomplished within 48 hours;

(e) Maintain a copy of the log provided by the operator on the property where the system is located in electronic or hard copy form, make the log available to the department upon request, and make a reasonable effort to transfer the log to any future owner;

(f) Follow the treatment works operation and maintenance (O&M) manual (where available) and keep a copy of the O&M manual in electronic or hard copy form on the property where the system is located, make the O&M manual available to the department upon request, and make a reasonable effort to transfer the O&M manual to any future owner;

(3) The licensed operator has the following responsibilities:

(a) Perform all monitoring required in accordance with either Part I A, Part I B, or Part I C, as appropriate, and periodic (at least semiannually) inspections of the treatment works. Note: Discharges from the treatment works should to the maximum extent feasible be sampled during normal discharging operations or normal discharging conditions (i.e., operations that are normal for that treatment works);

(b) During visits required by this subsection, fulfill the operator responsibilities specified in this subsection through observing the system and through laboratory or field tests required by this permit or that the operator deems appropriate. In performing a required visit, the operator is responsible for the entire system and, where applicable, shall follow the O&M manual;

(c) Provide a written or electronic notification to the owner within 24 hours whenever the operator becomes aware that maintenance or repair of the owner's treatment works is necessary;

(d) Report monitoring results to DEQ as required in Part I A 2, Part I B 2, and Part I C 2, as applicable, as well as Part II C, and maintain at the treatment works and provide to the permittee a log of the following items:

(i) Results of all tests and sampling. Note: If sampling is attempted, but no sample was taken or possible, the log shall show all sampling attempts and document and explain why no sample was taken or possible;

(ii) Alarm activation incidents, including the date and time of equipment failure and return to service;

(iii) Maintenance, including the date and amount of disinfection chemicals added to the chlorinator, the date and amount of dechlorination chemicals added if applicable, the date and approximate volume of sludge removed, and date receipts for chemicals and equipment purchased and maintenance performed;

(iv) Corrective or repair activities performed;

(v) Recommended repair or replacement items;

(vi) Copies of all reports prepared by the operator; and

(vii) Sludge or solids removal; and

(e) Conduct an inspection within 48 hours after notification by the owner that a problem may be occurring.

3. All individuals who perform maintenance on discharging systems pursuant to this general permit are required to hold a valid Class IV or higher wastewater works operator license or an alternative onsite sewage system operator license issued by the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals. For purposes of this general permit, this requirement is satisfied where an individual is directly supervised by and under the direction of a licensed operator who remains responsible for such maintenance.

4. Compliance recordkeeping under Part I A, Part I B, and Part I C.

a. The quantification levels (QL) shall be less than or equal to the following concentrations:

The QL is defined as the lowest concentration used to calibrate a measurement system in accordance with the procedures published for the test method.

b. Recording results. Any concentration data below the QL used in the analysis shall be recorded as "<QL" if it is less than the QL in subdivision 4 a of this subsection. Otherwise the numerical value shall be recorded.

c. Monitoring results shall be recorded using the same number of significant digits as listed in the permit. Regardless of the rounding convention used by the permittee (e.g., 5 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.

5. The discharges authorized by this permit shall be controlled as necessary to meet water quality standards.

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 such analyses.

2. Except for records of monitoring information required by this permit related to the permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years, the permittee shall retain 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 of the sample, measurement, report, or request for coverage. 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 board.

C. Reporting monitoring results. Monitoring results under this permit must be submitted consistent with the requirements in Part I A 2, Part I B 2, and Part I C 2, as applicable.

1. Monitoring results submitted to the department shall be reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) or on forms provided, approved or specified by the department. Following notification from the department of the start date for the required electronic submission of monitoring reports, as provided for in 9VAC25-31-1020, such forms and reports submitted after that date shall be electronically submitted to the department in compliance with this section and 9VAC25-31-1020. There shall be at least three months' notice provided between the notification from the department and the date after which such forms and reports must be submitted electronically.

2. 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 on the DMR or reporting form specified by the department.

3. Calculations for all limitations that 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 board 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 board may require the permittee to furnish, upon request, such 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 such other information as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the State Water Control Law. The permittee shall also furnish to the department, upon 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 board, 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 such state waters and make them detrimental to the public health, to animal or aquatic life, to the use of such waters for domestic or industrial consumption, for recreation, or for other uses.

G. Reports of unauthorized discharges. Any permittee that 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 that 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 said 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 by telephone 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 2. 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. An oral 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 this subdivision:

(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 board 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 may 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, a message may be left and this shall fulfill the immediate reporting requirement. For emergencies, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management maintains a 24-hour telephone service at 1-800-468-8892.

4. Where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit registration statement or submitted incorrect information in a permit registration statement or in any report to the department, it shall promptly submit such facts or information.

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 commenced:

(1) After promulgation of standards of performance under § 306 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1251 et seq.) that are applicable to such source; or

(2) After proposal of standards of performance in accordance with § 306 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to such 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 such 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 of 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 which 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 assure long term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary systems are established or other 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, etc. All reports required by permits and other information requested by the board 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 such as 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 thus be either 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 prior to 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 or for permit coverage termination or for 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 and with standards for sewage sludge use or disposal established under § 405(d) of the Clean Water Act within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, even if this permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.

M. Duty to reapply.

1. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration date of this permit, and the permittee does not qualify for automatic permit coverage renewal, the permittee shall submit a new registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, at least 60 days before the expiration date of the existing permit, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the board. The board shall not grant permission for registration statements or combined applications to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.

2. A permittee qualifies for automatic permit coverage renewal and is not required to submit a registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, if:

a. The ownership of the treatment works has not changed since this general permit went into effect on August 2, 2021, or, if the ownership has changed, (i) a new registration statement or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application or (ii) a VPDES Change of Ownership form was submitted to the department by the new owner at the time of the title transfer;

b. There has been no change in the design or operation, or both, of the treatment works since this general permit went into effect on August 2, 2021;

c. For treatment works serving individual single family dwellings, the Virginia Department of Health does not object to the automatic permit coverage renewal for this treatment works based on system performance issues, enforcement issues, or other issues sufficient to the board. If the Virginia Department of Health objects to the automatic renewal for this treatment works, the permittee will be notified by the board in writing; and

d. For treatment works serving buildings or dwellings other than single family dwellings, the board has no objection to the automatic permit coverage renewal for this treatment works based on system performance issues, enforcement issues, or other issues sufficient to the board. If the board objects to the automatic renewal for this treatment works, the permittee will be notified by the board in writing.

3. Any permittee that does not qualify for automatic permit coverage renewal shall submit a new registration statement, or for an individual single family dwelling a combined application, in accordance with Part II M 1.

N. Effect of a permit. This permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize 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" (Part II U) and "upset" (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 include 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 such 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 that 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 ensure 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 board 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, such as 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 that 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 board may approve an anticipated bypass after considering its adverse effects if the board determines that it will meet the three conditions listed in Part II U 3 a.

V. Upset.

1. An upset, defined in 9VAC25-31-10, 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 cause 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 upon 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 herein shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency.

X. Permit actions. Permits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, termination, or notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.

Y. Transfer of permit coverage. Permit coverage is not transferable to any person except after notice to the department. Coverage under this permit may be automatically transferred to a new permittee if:

1. 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 board;

2. 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

3. The board 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.

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.

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 VR680-14-09 § 8, eff. July 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 19, eff. August 1, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. August 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 4, eff. November 30, 2005; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2011; Volume 32, Issue 13, eff. August 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. August 2, 2021; Volume 40, Issue 4, eff. October 9, 2023; Volume 40, Issue 9, eff. December 18, 2023.

Forms (9VAC25-110)

VPDES Change of Ownership Agreement Form (eff. 7/2010)

Virginia DEQ Registration Statement - VPDES General Permit for Domestic Sewage Discharges Less than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons Per Day (2021 Reissuance (rev. 8/2021)

Combined Application - Virginia Department of Health Discharging System Application for Single Family Dwellings Discharging Sewage Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons per Day and State Water Control Board Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit Registration Statement for Domestic Sewage Discharges Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons per Day (eff. 4/2014)