Article 3. Permit Applications
9VAC25-875-920. Application for a permit.
A. Duty to apply. Any person who discharges or proposes to discharge stormwater into or upon state waters from municipal separate storm sewer systems or land-disturbing activities and who does not have an effective permit, except persons covered by general permits, excluded from the requirement for a permit by this chapter, shall submit a complete application in accordance with this section.
B. Who applies. When a facility or activity is owned by one person but is operated by another person, it is the operator's duty to obtain a permit.
C. Time to apply. Any person proposing a new discharge shall submit an application at least 180 days before the date on which the discharge is to commence, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the department. Stormwater discharges from large construction activities and stormwater discharges associated with small construction activities shall submit applications at least 90 days before the date on which construction is to commence. Different submittal dates may be required under the terms of applicable general permits. Persons proposing a new discharge are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the 90-day or 180-day requirements to avoid delay.
D. Duty to reapply. All permittees with a currently effective permit shall submit a new application at least 180 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 applications to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.
E. Completeness. The department shall not issue a permit before receiving a complete application for a permit except for general permits. An application for a permit is complete when the department receives an application form and any supplemental information which are completed to its satisfaction. The completeness of any application for a permit shall be judged independently of the status of any other permit application or permit for the same facility or activity.
F. Information requirements. All applicants for permits shall provide the following information using the application form provided by the department:
1. The activities conducted by the permit applicant which require it to obtain a permit;
2. Name, mailing address, and location of the facility for which the application is submitted;
3. Up to four SIC codes which best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility;
4. The operator's name, address, telephone number, email address, ownership status, and status as federal, state, private, public, or other entity;
5. Whether the facility is located on Indian lands;
6. A listing of all permits or construction approvals received, applied for, or to be applied for under any of the following programs:
a. Hazardous Waste Management program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 USC § 6921);
b. Underground Injection Control (UIC) program under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) (42 USC § 300h);
c. VPDES program under the CWA and the State Water Control Law;
d. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program under the Clean Air Act (42 USC § 4701 et seq.);
e. Nonattainment program under the Clean Air Act (42 USC § 4701 et seq.);
f. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPS) preconstruction approval under the Clean Air Act (42 USC § 4701 et seq.);
g. Ocean dumping permits under the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (33 USC § 14 et seq.);
h. Dredge or fill permits under § 404 of the CWA;
i. A permit under the CWA and the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act; and
j. Other relevant environmental permits;
7. A topographic map (or other map if a topographic map is unavailable) extending one mile beyond the property boundaries of the source, that depicts: the facility and (i) each of the source's intake and discharge structures; (ii) each of the source's hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities; (iii) each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground; and (iv) those wells, springs, other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known to the permit applicant in the map area; and
8. A brief description of the nature of the business.
G. Variance requests. A discharger which is not a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise applicable effluent limitations under any of the following statutory or regulatory provisions within the times specified in this subsection:
1. Fundamentally different factors.
a. A request for a variance based on the presence of fundamentally different factors from those on which the effluent limitations guideline was based shall be filed as follows:
(1) For a request from best practicable control technology currently available (BPT), by the close of the public comment period for the draft permit; or
(2) For a request from best available technology economically achievable (BAT) or best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT), by no later than 180 days after the date on which an effluent limitation guideline is published in the Federal Register for a request based on an effluent limitation guideline promulgated on or after February 4, 1987.
b. The request shall explain how the requirements of the applicable regulatory or statutory criteria have been met.
2. A request for a variance from the BAT requirements for CWA § 301(b)(2)(F) pollutants (commonly called nonconventional pollutants) pursuant to § 301(c) of the CWA because of the economic capability of the owner or operator, or pursuant to § 301(g) of the CWA (provided, however, that a § 301(g) variance may only be requested for ammonia, chlorine, color, iron, total phenols (when determined by the administrator to be a pollutant covered by § 301(b)(2)(F) of the CWA), and any other pollutant that the administrator lists under § 301(g)(4) of the CWA) must be made as follows:
a. For those requests for a variance from an effluent limitation based upon an effluent limitation guideline by:
(1) Submitting an initial request to the regional administrator, as well as to the department, stating the name of the discharger, the permit number, the outfall number, the applicable effluent guideline, and whether the discharger is requesting a § 301(c) or § 301(g) of the CWA modification, or both. This request must have been filed not later than 270 days after promulgation of an applicable effluent limitation guideline; and
(2) Submitting a completed request no later than the close of the public comment period for the draft permit demonstrating that: (i) all reasonable ascertainable issues have been raised and all reasonably available arguments and materials supporting their position have been submitted; and (ii) that the applicable requirements of 40 CFR Part 125 have been met. Notwithstanding this provision, the complete application for a request under § 301(g) of the CWA shall be filed 180 days before EPA must make a decision (unless the Regional Administrator establishes a shorter or longer period); or
b. For those requests for a variance from effluent limitations not based on effluent limitation guidelines, the request need only comply with subdivision 2 a (2) of this subsection and need not be preceded by an initial request under subdivision 2 a (1) of this subsection.
3. A modification under § 302(b)(2) of the CWA of requirements under § 302(a) of the CWA for achieving water quality related effluent limitations may be requested no later than the close of the public comment period for the draft permit on the permit from which the modification is sought.
4. A variance for alternate effluent limitations for the thermal component of any discharge must be filed with a timely application for a permit under this section, except that if thermal effluent limitations are established on a case-by-case basis or are based on water quality standards the request for a variance may be filed by the close of the public comment period for the draft permit. A copy of the request shall be sent simultaneously to the department.
H. Expedited variance procedures and time extensions.
1. Notwithstanding the time requirements in subsection G of this section, the department may notify a permit applicant before a draft permit is issued that the draft permit will likely contain limitations that are eligible for variances. In the notice the department may require the permit applicant as a condition of consideration of any potential variance request to submit a request explaining how the requirements of 40 CFR Part 125 applicable to the variance have been met and may require its submission within a specified reasonable time after receipt of the notice. The notice may be sent before the permit application has been submitted. The draft or final permit may contain the alternative limitations that may become effective upon final grant of the variance.
2. A discharger who cannot file a timely complete request required under subdivisions G 2 a (2) or G 2 b of this section may request an extension. The extension may be granted or denied at the discretion of the department. Extensions shall be no more than six months in duration.
I. Recordkeeping. Permit applicants shall keep records of all data used to complete permit applications and any supplemental information submitted under this section for a period of at least three years from the date the application is signed.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-930. Permit rationale.
In granting a permit pursuant to this chapter, the department shall provide in writing a clear and concise statement of the legal basis, scientific rationale, and justification for the decision reached. When the decision of the department is to deny a permit, the department shall, in consultation with legal counsel, provide a clear and concise statement explaining the reason for the denial, the scientific justification for the same, and how the department's decision is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Copies of the decision, certified by the director, shall be mailed by certified mail to the permittee or applicant.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-940. Signatories to permit applications and reports.
A. All permit applications shall be signed as follows:
1. 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 assure 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 application requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures;
2. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or
3. 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 federal 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.
B. All reports required by permits, and other information requested by the department shall be signed by a person described in subsection A of this section, or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:
1. The authorization is made in writing by a person described in subsection A of this section;
2. 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
3. The written authorization is submitted to the department.
C. If an authorization under subsection B of this section 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 subsection B of this section must be submitted to the department prior to or together with any reports, or information to be signed by an authorized representative.
D. Any person signing a document under subsection A or B of this section 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."
E. Electronic reporting. If documents described in subsection A or B of this section are submitted electronically by or on behalf of a VPDES-regulated facility, any person providing the electronic signature for such documents shall meet all relevant requirements of this section and shall ensure that all of the relevant requirements of Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D) are met for that submission.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-950. Stormwater discharges.
A. Permit requirements.
1. Prior to October 1, 1994, discharges composed entirely of stormwater shall not be required to obtain a permit except:
a. A discharge with respect to which a permit has been issued prior to February 4, 1987;
b. A stormwater discharge associated with large construction activity;
c. A discharge from a large municipal separate storm sewer system;
d. A discharge from a medium municipal separate storm sewer system; or
e. A discharge that either the department or the regional administrator determines to contribute to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters. This designation may include a discharge from any conveyance or system of conveyances used for collecting and conveying stormwater runoff or a system of discharges from municipal separate storm sewers, except for those discharges from conveyances that do not require a permit under subdivision 2 of this subsection or agricultural stormwater runoff that is exempted from the definition of point source.
The department may designate discharges from municipal separate storm sewers on a system-wide or jurisdiction-wide basis. In making this determination the department may consider the following factors:
(1) The location of the discharge with respect to surface waters;
(2) The size of the discharge;
(3) The quantity and nature of the pollutants discharged to surface waters; and
(4) Other relevant factors.
2. The department may not require a permit for discharges of stormwater runoff from mining operations or oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities, composed entirely of flows that are from conveyances or systems of conveyances, including pipes, conduits, ditches, and channels, used for collecting and conveying precipitation runoff and that are not contaminated by contact with or that has not come into contact with, any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished product, byproduct, or waste products located on the site of such operations.
3. a. Permits must be obtained for all discharges from large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems.
b. The department may either issue one system-wide permit covering all discharges from municipal separate storm sewers within a large or medium municipal storm sewer system or issue distinct permits for appropriate categories of discharges within a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system, including all discharges owned or operated by the same municipality; located within the same jurisdiction; all discharges within a system that discharge to the same watershed; discharges within a system that are similar in nature; or for individual discharges from municipal separate storm sewers within the system.
c. The operator of a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer that is part of a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system must either:
(1) Participate in a permit application (to be a permittee or a state co-permittee) with one or more other operators of discharges from the large or medium municipal storm sewer system that covers all, or a portion of all, discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer system;
(2) Submit a distinct permit application that only covers discharges from the municipal separate storm sewers for which the operator is responsible; or
(3) A regional authority may be responsible for submitting a permit application under the following guidelines:
(a) The regional authority together with permit co-applicants shall have authority over a stormwater management program that is in existence or shall be in existence at the time Part 1 of the application is due;
(b) The permit applicant or co-applicants shall establish their ability to make a timely submission of Part 1 and Part 2 of the municipal application;
(c) Each of the operators of municipal separate storm sewers within large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, which are under the purview of the designated regional authority, shall comply with the application requirements of subsection C of this section.
d. One permit application may be submitted for all or a portion of all municipal separate storm sewers within adjacent or interconnected large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems. The department may issue one system-wide permit covering all or a portion of all municipal separate storm sewers in adjacent or interconnected large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems.
e. Permits for all or a portion of all discharges from large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems that are issued on a system-wide, jurisdiction-wide, watershed, or other basis may specify different conditions relating to different discharges covered by the permit, including different management programs for different drainage areas that contribute stormwater to the system.
f. State co-permittees need only comply with permit conditions relating to discharges from the municipal separate storm sewers for which they are operators.
4. In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection B of this section, an operator of a stormwater discharge associated with a large construction activity that discharges through a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system shall submit to the operator of the municipal separate storm sewer system receiving the discharge no later than May 15, 1991, or 180 days prior to commencing such discharge, the name of the facility; a contact person and telephone number; the location of the discharge; a description, including Standard Industrial Classification, that best reflects the principal products or services provided by each facility; and any existing permit number.
5. The department may issue permits for municipal separate storm sewers that are designated under subdivision A 1 e of this section on a system-wide basis, jurisdiction-wide basis, watershed basis, or other appropriate basis or may issue permits for individual discharges.
6. Conveyances that discharge stormwater runoff combined with municipal sewage are point sources that must obtain separate VPDES permits in accordance with the procedures of 9VAC25-31 and are not subject to the provisions of this section.
7. Whether a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer is or is not subject to regulation under this subsection shall have no bearing on whether the owner or operator of the discharge is eligible for funding under Title II, Title III, or Title VI of the CWA.
8. a. On and after October 1, 1994, for discharges composed entirely of stormwater, that are not required by subdivision 1 of this subsection to obtain a permit, operators shall be required to obtain a permit only if:
(1) The discharge is from a small MS4 required to be regulated pursuant to 9VAC25-875-970 B;
(2) The discharge is a stormwater discharge associated with small construction activity as defined in 9VAC25-875-20;
(3) The department or the EPA regional administrator determines that stormwater controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) that address the pollutants of concern; or
(4) The department or the EPA regional administrator determines that the discharge or category of discharges within a geographic area contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters.
b. Operators of small MS4s designated pursuant to subdivisions 8 a (1), (3), and (4) of this subsection shall seek coverage under a permit in accordance with 9VAC25-875-970 C, D, and E. Operators of nonmunicipal sources designated pursuant to subdivisions 8 a (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection shall seek coverage under a permit in accordance with subdivision B 1 of this section.
c. Operators of stormwater discharges designated pursuant to subdivisions 8 a (3) and (4) of this subsection shall apply to the department for a permit within 180 days of receipt of notice, unless permission for a later date is granted by the department.
B. Application requirements for stormwater discharges associated with large and small construction activity. Dischargers of stormwater associated with large and small construction activity are required to apply for an individual permit or seek coverage under a promulgated stormwater general permit. Facilities that are required to obtain an individual permit or any discharge of stormwater that the department is evaluating for designation under subdivision A 1 e of this section and is not a municipal separate storm sewer shall submit a state application in accordance with the requirements of 9VAC25-875-920 as modified and supplemented by the provisions of this subsection.
1. The operator of an existing or new stormwater discharge that is associated with a large or small construction activity shall provide a narrative description of:
a. The location, including a map, and the nature of the construction activity;
b. The total area of the site and the area of the site that is expected to undergo excavation during the life of the permit;
c. Proposed measures, including best management practices, to control pollutants in stormwater discharges during construction, including a brief description of applicable state and VESCP requirements;
d. Proposed measures to control pollutants in stormwater discharges that will occur after construction operations have been completed, including a brief description of applicable state or local VESCP requirements;
e. An estimate of the runoff coefficient of the site and the increase in impervious area after the construction addressed in the permit application is completed, the nature of fill material and existing data describing the soil, or the quality of the discharge;
f. The name of the receiving water; and
g. The location of Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas.
2. Permit applicants shall provide such other information the department may reasonably require to determine whether to issue a permit.
C. Application requirements for large and medium municipal separate storm sewer discharges. The operator of a discharge from a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer or a municipal separate storm sewer that is designated by the department under subdivision A 1 e of this section may submit a jurisdiction-wide or system-wide permit application. Where more than one public entity owns or operates a municipal separate storm sewer within a geographic area (including adjacent or interconnected municipal separate storm sewer systems), such operators may be a permit co-applicant to the same application. Permit applications for discharges from large and medium municipal storm sewers or municipal storm sewers designated under subdivision A 1 e of this section shall include;
1. Part 1 of the application shall consist of:
a. The permit applicant's name, address, telephone number, and email address; ownership status; status as a state or local government entity; and the name, address, telephone number, and email address of a contact person;
b. A description of existing legal authority to control discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system. When existing legal authority is not sufficient to meet the criteria provided in subdivision 2 a of this subsection, the description shall list additional authorities as will be necessary to meet the criteria and shall include a schedule and commitment to seek such additional authority that will be needed to meet the criteria;
c. Source identification.
(1) A description of the historic use of ordinances, guidance, or other controls that limited the discharge of nonstormwater discharges to any publicly owned treatment works serving the same area as the municipal separate storm sewer system.
(2) A USGS 7.5 minute topographic map (or equivalent topographic map with a scale between 1:10,000 and 1:24,000, if cost effective) extending one mile beyond the service boundaries of the municipal storm sewer system covered by the permit application. The following information shall be provided:
(a) The location of known municipal storm sewer system outfalls discharging to surface waters;
(b) A description of the land use activities (e.g., divisions indicating undeveloped, residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses) accompanied with estimates of population densities and projected growth for a 10-year period within the drainage area served by the separate storm sewer. For each land use type, an estimate of an average runoff coefficient shall be provided;
(c) The location and a description of the activities of the facility of each currently operating or closed municipal landfill or other treatment, storage, or disposal facility for municipal waste;
(d) The location and the permit number of any known discharge to the municipal storm sewer that has been issued a permit;
(e) The location of major structural controls for stormwater discharge (retention basins, detention basins, major infiltration devices, etc.); and
(f) The identification of publicly owned parks, recreational areas, and other open lands;
d. Discharge characterization.
(1) Monthly mean rain and snow fall estimates (or summary of weather bureau data) and the monthly average number of storm events.
(2) Existing quantitative data describing the volume and quality of discharges from the municipal storm sewer, including a description of the outfalls sampled, sampling procedures, and analytical methods used.
(3) A list of water bodies that receive discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer system, including downstream segments, lakes, and estuaries, where pollutants from the system discharges may accumulate and cause water degradation and a brief description of known water quality impacts. At a minimum, the description of impacts shall include a description of whether the water bodies receiving such discharges have been:
(a) Assessed and reported in § 305(b) of the CWA reports submitted by the state, the basis for the assessment (evaluated or monitored), a summary of designated use support and attainment of the State Water Control Law and the CWA goals (fishable and swimmable waters), and causes of nonsupport of designated uses;
(b) Listed under § 304(l)(1)(A)(i), (1)(A)(ii), or (l)(1)(B) of the CWA that is not expected to meet water quality standards or water quality goals;
(c) Listed in State Nonpoint Source Assessments required by § 319(a) of the CWA that, without additional action to control nonpoint sources of pollution, cannot reasonably be expected to attain or maintain water quality standards due to storm sewers, construction, highway maintenance, and runoff from municipal landfills and municipal sludge adding significant pollution (or contributing to a violation of water quality standards);
(d) Identified and classified according to eutrophic condition of publicly owned lakes listed in state reports required under § 314(a) of the CWA (include the following: a description of those publicly owned lakes for which uses are known to be impaired; a description of procedures, processes, and methods to control the discharge of pollutants from municipal separate storm sewers into such lakes; and a description of methods and procedures to restore the quality of such lakes);
(e) Areas of concern of the Great Lakes identified by the International Joint Commission;
(f) Designated estuaries under the National Estuary Program under § 320 of the CWA;
(g) Recognized by the permit applicant as highly valued or sensitive waters;
(h) Defined by the state or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory as wetlands; and
(i) Found to have pollutants in bottom sediments, fish tissue or biosurvey data.
(4) Results of a field screening analysis for illicit connections and illegal dumping for either selected field screening points or major outfalls covered in the permit application. At a minimum, a screening analysis shall include a narrative description, for either each field screening point or major outfall, of visual observations made during dry weather periods. If any flow is observed, two grab samples shall be collected during a 24-hour period with a minimum period of four hours between samples. For all such samples, a narrative description of the color, odor, turbidity, and the presence of an oil sheen or surface scum, as well as any other relevant observations regarding the potential presence of nonstormwater discharges or illegal dumping shall be provided. In addition, a narrative description of the results of a field analysis using suitable methods to estimate pH, total chlorine, total copper, total phenol, and detergents (or surfactants) shall be provided along with a description of the flow rate. Where the field analysis does not involve analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136, the permit applicant shall provide a description of the method used, including the name of the manufacturer of the test method along with the range and accuracy of the test. Field screening points shall be either major outfalls or other outfall points (or any other point of access such as manholes) randomly located throughout the storm sewer system by placing a grid over a drainage system map and identifying those cells of the grid that contain a segment of the storm sewer system or major outfall. The field screening points shall be established using the following guidelines and criteria:
(a) A grid system consisting of perpendicular north-south and east-west lines spaced 1/4 mile apart shall be overlaid on a map of the municipal storm sewer system, creating a series of cells;
(b) All cells that contain a segment of the storm sewer system shall be identified; one field screening point shall be selected in each cell; major outfalls may be used as field screening points;
(c) Field screening points should be located downstream of any sources of suspected illegal or illicit activity;
(d) Field screening points shall be located to the degree practicable at the farthest manhole or other accessible location downstream in the system, within each cell; however, safety of personnel and accessibility of the location should be considered in making this determination;
(e) Hydrological conditions; total drainage area of the site; population density of the site; traffic density; age of the structures or buildings in the area; history of the area; and land use types;
(f) For medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, no more than 250 cells need to have identified field screening points; in large municipal separate storm sewer systems, no more than 500 cells need to have identified field screening points; cells established by the grid that contain no storm sewer segments will be eliminated from consideration; if fewer than 250 cells in medium municipal sewers are created, and fewer than 500 in large systems are created by the overlay on the municipal sewer map, then all those cells that contain a segment of the sewer system shall be subject to field screening (unless access to the separate storm sewer system is impossible); and
(g) Large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems that are unable to utilize the procedures described in subdivisions 1 d (4) (a) through (f) of this subsection because a sufficiently detailed map of the separate storm sewer systems is unavailable shall field screen no more than 500 or 250 major outfalls respectively (or all major outfalls in the system, if fewer); in such circumstances, the permit applicant shall establish a grid system consisting of north-south and east-west lines spaced 1/4 mile apart as an overlay to the boundaries of the municipal storm sewer system, thereby creating a series of cells; the permit applicant will then select major outfalls in as many cells as possible until at least 500 major outfalls (large municipalities) or 250 major outfalls (medium municipalities) are selected; a field screening analysis shall be undertaken at these major outfalls.
(5) Information and a proposed program to meet the requirements of subdivision 2 c of this subsection. Such description shall include: the location of outfalls or field screening points appropriate for representative data collection under subdivision 2 c (1) of this subsection, a description of why the outfall or field screening point is representative, the seasons during which sampling is intended, and a description of the sampling equipment. The proposed location of outfalls or field screening points for such sampling should reflect water quality concerns (see subdivision 1 d (3) of this subsection) to the extent practicable;
e. Management programs.
(1) A description of the existing management programs to control pollutants from the municipal separate storm sewer system. The description shall provide information on existing structural and source controls, including operation and maintenance measures for structural controls, that are currently being implemented. Such controls may include procedures to control pollution resulting from construction activities, floodplain management controls, wetland protection measures, best management practices for new subdivisions, and emergency spill response programs. The description may address controls established under state law as well as local requirements.
(2) A description of the existing program to identify illicit connections to the municipal storm sewer system. The description should include inspection procedures and methods for detecting and preventing illicit discharges and describe areas where this program has been implemented; and
f. Fiscal resources. A description of the financial resources currently available to the municipality to complete Part 2 of the permit application. A description of the municipality's budget for existing stormwater programs, including an overview of the municipality's financial resources and budget, including overall indebtedness and assets, and sources of funds for stormwater programs.
2. Part 2 of the application shall consist of:
a. A demonstration that the permit applicant can operate pursuant to legal authority established by statute, ordinance, or series of contracts that authorizes or enables the permit applicant at a minimum to:
(1) Control through ordinance, permit, contract, order, or similar means the contribution of pollutants to the municipal storm sewer by stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity and the quality of stormwater discharged from sites of industrial activity;
(2) Prohibit through ordinance, order, or similar means illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer;
(3) Control through ordinance, order, or similar means the discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer of spills, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater;
(4) Control through interagency agreements among permit co-applicants the contribution of pollutants from one portion of the municipal system to another portion of the municipal system;
(5) Require compliance with conditions in ordinances, permits, contracts, or orders; and
(6) Carry out all inspection, surveillance, and monitoring procedures necessary to determine compliance and noncompliance with permit conditions, including the prohibition on illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer;
b. The location of any major outfall that discharges to surface waters that was not reported under subdivision 1 c (2) (a) of this subsection. Provide an inventory, organized by watershed of the name and address, and a description (such as SIC codes) that best reflects the principal products or services provided by each facility that may discharge, to the municipal separate storm sewer, stormwater associated with industrial activity;
c. When quantitative data for a pollutant are required under subdivision 2 c (1) (c) of this subsection, the permit applicant must collect a sample of effluent in accordance with 9VAC25-875-960 and analyze it for the pollutant in accordance with analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136. When no analytical method is approved the permit applicant may use any suitable method but must provide a description of the method. The permit applicant must provide information characterizing the quality and quantity of discharges covered in the permit application, including:
(1) Quantitative data from representative outfalls designated by the department (based on information received in Part 1 of the application, the department shall designate between five and 10 outfalls or field screening points as representative of the commercial, residential, and industrial land use activities of the drainage area contributing to the system or where there are less than five outfalls) covered in the application, the department shall designate all outfalls developed as follows:
(a) For each outfall or field screening point designated under this subsection, samples shall be collected of stormwater discharges from three storm events occurring at least one month apart in accordance with the requirements at 9VAC25-875-960 (the department may allow exemptions to sampling three storm events when climatic conditions create good cause for such exemptions);
(b) A narrative description shall be provided of the date and duration of the storm event or events sampled, rainfall estimates of the storm event that generated the sampled discharge, and the duration between the storm event sampled and the end of the previous measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event;
(c) For samples collected and described under subdivisions 2 c (1) (a) and (1) (b) of this subsection, quantitative data shall be provided for the organic pollutants listed in Table II; the pollutants listed in Table III (toxic metals, cyanide, and total phenols) of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D, and for the following pollutants:
Total suspended solids (TSS)
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)
Oil and grease
Fecal coliform
Fecal streptococcus
pH
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen
Nitrate plus nitrite
Dissolved phosphorus
Total ammonia plus organic nitrogen
Total phosphorus
(d) Additional limited quantitative data required by the department for determining permit conditions (the department may require that quantitative data shall be provided for additional parameters and may establish sampling conditions, such as the location, season of sample collection, form of precipitation (snow melt, rainfall) and other parameters necessary to ensure representativeness);
(2) Estimates of the annual pollutant load of the cumulative discharges to surface waters from all identified municipal outfalls and the event mean concentration of the cumulative discharges to surface waters from all identified municipal outfalls during a storm event (as described under 9VAC25-875-960) for BOD5, COD, TSS, dissolved solids, total nitrogen, total ammonia plus organic nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Estimates shall be accompanied by a description of the procedures for estimating constituent loads and concentrations, including any modeling, data analysis, and calculation methods;
(3) A proposed schedule to provide estimates for each major outfall identified in either subdivision 2 b or 1 c (2) (a) of this subsection of the seasonal pollutant load and of the event mean concentration of a representative storm for any constituent detected in any sample required under subdivision 2 c (1) of this subsection; and
(4) A proposed monitoring program for representative data collection for the term of the permit that describes the location of outfalls or field screening points to be sampled (or the location of instream stations), why the location is representative, the frequency of sampling, parameters to be sampled, and a description of sampling equipment;
d. A proposed management program that covers the duration of the permit. It shall include a comprehensive planning process that involves public participation and, where necessary, intergovernmental coordination to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable using management practices, control techniques and system, design and engineering methods, and such other provisions that are appropriate. The program shall also include a description of staff and equipment available to implement the program. Separate proposed programs may be submitted by each permit co-applicant. Proposed programs may impose controls on a system wide basis, a watershed basis, a jurisdiction basis, or on individual outfalls. Proposed programs will be considered by the department when developing permit conditions to reduce pollutants in discharges to the maximum extent practicable. Proposed management programs shall describe priorities for implementing controls. Such programs shall be based on:
(1) A description of structural and source control measures to reduce pollutants from runoff from commercial and residential areas that are discharged from the municipal storm sewer system that are to be implemented during the life of the permit, accompanied with an estimate of the expected reduction of pollutant loads and a proposed schedule for implementing such controls. At a minimum, the description shall include:
(a) A description of maintenance activities and a maintenance schedule for structural controls to reduce pollutants (including floatables) in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers;
(b) A description of planning procedures, including a comprehensive master plan to develop, implement, and enforce controls to reduce the discharge of pollutants from municipal separate storm sewers that receive discharges from areas of new development and significant redevelopment. Such plan shall address controls to reduce pollutants in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers after construction is completed. Controls to reduce pollutants in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers containing construction site runoff are addressed in subdivision 2 d (4) of this subsection;
(c) A description of practices for operating and maintaining public streets, roads, and highways and procedures for reducing the impact on receiving waters of discharges from municipal storm sewer systems, including pollutants discharged as a result of deicing activities;
(d) A description of procedures to ensure that flood management projects assess the impacts on the water quality of receiving water bodies and that existing structural flood control devices have been evaluated to determine if retrofitting the device to provide additional pollutant removal from stormwater is feasible;
(e) A description of a program to monitor pollutants in runoff from operating or closed municipal landfills or other treatment, storage, or disposal facilities for municipal waste that shall identify priorities and procedures for inspections and establishing and implementing control measures for such discharges (this program can be coordinated with the program developed under subdivision 2 d (3) of this subsection); and
(f) A description of a program to reduce to the maximum extent practicable, pollutants in discharges from municipal separate storm sewers associated with the application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer that will include, as appropriate, controls such as educational activities, permits, certifications, and other measures for commercial applicators and distributors and controls for application in public right-of-ways and at municipal facilities;
(2) A description of a program, including a schedule to detect and remove (or require the discharger to the municipal separate storm sewer to obtain a separate permit for) illicit discharges and improper disposal into the storm sewer. The proposed program shall include:
(a) A description of a program, including inspections, to implement and enforce an ordinance, orders, or similar means to prevent illicit discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system; this program description shall address all types of illicit discharges, however the following category of nonstormwater discharges or flows shall be addressed where such discharges are identified by the municipality as sources of pollutants to surface waters: water line flushing, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows, rising groundwaters, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to separate storm sewers, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, air conditioning condensation, irrigation water, springs, water from crawl space pumps, footing drains, lawn watering, individual residential car washing, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, and street wash water (program descriptions shall address discharges or flows from firefighting only where such discharges or flows are identified as significant sources of pollutants to surface waters);
(b) A description of procedures to conduct on-going field screening activities during the life of the permit, including areas or locations that will be evaluated by such field screens;
(c) A description of procedures to be followed to investigate portions of the separate storm sewer system that, based on the results of the field screen, or other appropriate information, indicate a reasonable potential of containing illicit discharges or other sources of nonstormwater (such procedures may include: sampling procedures for constituents such as fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus, surfactants (Methylene Blue Active Substances - MBAS), residual chlorine, fluorides, and potassium; testing with fluorometric dyes; or conducting in storm sewer inspections where safety and other considerations allow. Such description shall include the location of storm sewers that have been identified for such evaluation.);
(d) A description of procedures to prevent, contain, and respond to spills that may discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer;
(e) A description of a program to promote, publicize, and facilitate public reporting of the presence of illicit discharges or water quality impacts associated with discharges from municipal separate storm sewers;
(f) A description of educational activities, public information activities, and other appropriate activities to facilitate the proper management and disposal of used oil and toxic materials; and
(g) A description of controls to limit infiltration of seepage from municipal sanitary sewers to municipal separate storm sewer systems where necessary.
(3) A description of a program to monitor and control pollutants in stormwater discharges to municipal systems from municipal landfills, hazardous waste treatment, disposal and recovery facilities, industrial facilities that are subject to § 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA, 42 USC § 11023), and industrial facilities that the municipal permit applicant determines are contributing a substantial pollutant loading to the municipal storm sewer system. The program shall:
(a) Identify priorities and procedures for inspections and establishing and implementing control measures for such discharges;
(b) Describe a monitoring program for stormwater discharges associated with the industrial facilities identified in subdivision 2 d (3) of this subsection, to be implemented during the term of the permit, including the submission of quantitative data on the following constituents: any pollutants limited in effluent guidelines subcategories, where applicable; any pollutant listed in an existing separate VPDES permit for a facility; oil and grease, COD, pH, BOD5, TSS, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen, and any information on discharges required under 9VAC25-875-960 G and H; and
(4) A description of a program to implement and maintain structural and nonstructural best management practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff from construction sites to the municipal storm sewer system, which program shall include:
(a) A description of procedures for site planning that incorporate consideration of potential water quality impacts;
(b) A description of requirements for nonstructural and structural best management practices;
(c) A description of procedures for identifying priorities for inspecting sites and enforcing control measures that consider the nature of the construction activity, topography, and the characteristics of soils and receiving water quality; and
(d) A description of appropriate educational and training measures for construction site operators;
e. Estimated reductions in loadings of pollutants from discharges of municipal storm sewer constituents from municipal storm sewer systems expected as the result of the municipal stormwater quality management program. The assessment shall also identify known impacts of stormwater controls on groundwater;
f. For each fiscal year to be covered by the permit, a fiscal analysis of the necessary capital and operation and maintenance expenditures necessary to accomplish the activities of the programs under subdivisions 2 c and d of this subsection. Such analysis shall include a description of the source of funds that are proposed to meet the necessary expenditures, including legal restrictions on the use of such funds;
g. Where more than one legal entity submits an application, the application shall contain a description of the roles and responsibilities of each legal entity and procedures to ensure effective coordination; and
h. Where requirements under subdivisions 1 d (5), 2 b, 2 c (2), and 2 d of this subsection are not practicable or are not applicable, the department may exclude any operator of a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer that is designated under subdivision A 1 e of this section or that is located in the counties listed in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix H or Appendix I (except municipal separate storm sewers that are located in the incorporated places, townships, or towns within such counties) from such requirements. The department shall not exclude the operator of a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer identified in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix F, G, H, or I from any of the permit application requirements under this subdivision except where authorized under this subsection.
D. Petitions.
1. Any operator of a municipal separate storm sewer system may petition the appropriate authority or the department to require a separate permit for any discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system.
2. Any person may petition the department to require a permit for a discharge that is composed entirely of stormwater that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters.
3. Any person may petition the department for the designation of a large, medium, or small municipal separate storm sewer system as defined by this chapter.
4. The department shall make a final determination on any petition received under this section within 90 days after receiving the petition with the exception of petitions to designate a small MS4, in which case the department shall make a final determination on the petition within 180 days after the petition's receipt.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-960. Effluent sampling procedures.
A. Permit applicants for discharges from large and small municipal storm sewers or municipal storm sewers designated under 9VAC25-875-950 A 1 e shall provide the following information to the department, using application forms provided by the department.
B. Information on stormwater discharges that is to be provided as specified in 9VAC25-875-950. When quantitative data for a pollutant are required, the permit applicant must collect a sample of effluent and analyze it for the pollutant in accordance with analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136. When no analytical method is approved the permit applicant may use any suitable method but must provide a description of the method. When a permit applicant has two or more outfalls with substantially identical effluents, the department may allow the permit applicant to test only one outfall and report that the quantitative data also apply to the substantially identical outfalls. The requirements in subsections F and G of this section that a permit applicant must provide quantitative data for certain pollutants known or believed to be present do not apply to pollutants present in a discharge solely as the result of their presence in intake water; however, an applicant must report such pollutants as present. Grab samples must be used for pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used. However, a minimum of one grab sample may be taken for effluents from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period greater than 24 hours. In addition, for discharges other than stormwater discharges, the department may waive composite sampling for any outfall for which the permit applicant demonstrates that the use of an automatic sampler is infeasible and that the minimum of four grab samples will be a representative sample of the effluent being discharged.
C. For stormwater discharges, all samples shall be collected from the discharge resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inch and at least 72 hours from the previously measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. Where feasible, the variance in the duration of the event and the total rainfall of the event should not exceed 50% from the average or median rainfall event in that area. For all permit applicants, a flow-weighted composite shall be taken for either the entire discharge or for the first three hours of the discharge. The flow-weighted composite sample for a stormwater discharge may be taken with a continuous sampler or as a combination of a minimum of three sample aliquots taken in each hour of discharge for the entire discharge or for the first three hours of the discharge, with each aliquot being separated by a minimum period of 15 minutes. However, a minimum of one grab sample may be taken for stormwater discharges from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period greater than 24 hours. For a flow-weighted composite sample, only one analysis of the composite of aliquots is required. For stormwater discharge samples taken from discharges associated with industrial activities, quantitative data must be reported for the grab sample taken during the first 30 minutes (or as soon thereafter as practicable) of the discharge for all pollutants specified in 9VAC25-875-950 C 1. For all stormwater permit applicants taking flow-weighted composites, quantitative data must be reported for all pollutants specified in 9VAC25-875-950 except pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus. The department may allow or establish appropriate site-specific sampling procedures or requirements, including sampling locations, the season in which the sampling takes place, the minimum duration between the previous measurable storm event and the storm event sampled, the minimum or maximum level of precipitation required for an appropriate storm event, the form of precipitation sampled (snow melt or rain fall), protocols for collecting samples under 40 CFR Part 136, and additional time for submitting data on a case-by-case basis. A permit applicant is expected to know or have reason to believe that a pollutant is present in an effluent based on an evaluation of the expected use, production, or storage of the pollutant or on any previous analyses for the pollutant. For example, any pesticide manufactured by a facility may be expected to be present in contaminated stormwater runoff from the facility.
D. Every permit applicant must report quantitative data for every outfall for the following pollutants:
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)
Chemical oxygen demand
Total organic carbon
Total suspended solids
Ammonia (as N)
Temperature (both winter and summer)
pH
E. The department may waive the reporting requirements for individual point sources or for a particular industry category for one or more of the pollutants listed in subsection C of this section if the permit applicant has demonstrated that such a waiver is appropriate because information adequate to support issuance of a permit can be obtained with less stringent requirements.
F. Each permit applicant with processes in one or more primary industry category (see 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix A) contributing to a discharge must report quantitative data for the following pollutants in each outfall containing process wastewater:
1. The organic toxic pollutants in the fractions designated in Table I of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D for the permit applicant's industrial category unless the permit applicant qualifies as a small business. Table II of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D lists the organic toxic pollutants in each fraction. The fractions result from the sample preparation required by the analytical procedure that uses gas chromatography or mass spectrometry. A determination that a permit applicant falls within a particular industrial category for the purposes of selecting fractions for testing is not conclusive as to the permit applicant's inclusion in that category for any other purposes; and
2. The pollutants listed in Table III of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (the toxic metals, cyanide, and total phenols).
G. 1. Each permit applicant must indicate whether the permit applicant knows or has reason to believe that any of the pollutants in Table IV of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (certain conventional and nonconventional pollutants) is discharged from each outfall. If an applicable effluent limitations guideline either directly limits the pollutant or, by its express terms, indirectly limits the pollutant through limitations on an indicator, the permit applicant must report quantitative data. For every pollutant discharged that is not so limited in an effluent limitations guideline, the permit applicant must either report quantitative data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged.
2. Each applicant must indicate whether the applicant knows or has reason to believe that any of the pollutants listed in Table II or Table III of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (the toxic pollutants and total phenols) for which quantitative data are not otherwise required under subsection F of this section, is discharged from each outfall. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in concentrations of 10 ppb or greater the permit applicant must report quantitative data. For acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, where any of these four pollutants are expected to be discharged in concentrations of 100 ppb or greater the permit applicant must report quantitative data. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in concentrations less than 10 ppb, or in the case of acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, in concentrations less than 100 ppb, the permit applicant must either submit quantitative data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged. A permit applicant qualifying as a small business is not required to analyze for pollutants listed in Table II of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (the organic toxic pollutants).
H. Each permit applicant must indicate whether the permit applicant knows or has reason to believe that any of the pollutants in Table V of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (certain hazardous substances and asbestos) are discharged from each outfall. For every pollutant expected to be discharged, the permit applicant must briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged, and report any quantitative data it has for any pollutant.
I. Each permit applicant must report qualitative data, generated using a screening procedure not calibrated with analytical standards, for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) if it:
1. Uses or manufactures 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5,-T); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex, 2,4,5,-TP); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl, 2,2-dichloropropionate (Erbon); O,O-dimethyl O-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (Ronnel); 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP); or hexachlorophene (HCP); or
2. Knows or has reason to believe that TCDD is or may be present in an effluent.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-970. Small municipal separate storm sewer systems.
A. Objectives of the stormwater regulations for small MS4s.
1. Subsections A through G of this section are written in a "readable regulation" format that includes both rule requirements and guidance. The recommended guidance is distinguished from the regulatory requirements by putting the guidance in a separate subdivision headed by the word "Note."
2. Under the statutory mandate in § 402(p)(6) of the Clean Water Act, the purpose of this portion of the stormwater program is to designate additional sources that need to be regulated to protect water quality and to establish a comprehensive stormwater program to regulate these sources.
3. Stormwater runoff continues to harm the nation's waters. Runoff from lands modified by human activities can harm surface water resources in several ways, including by changing natural hydrologic patterns and by elevating pollutant concentrations and loadings. Stormwater runoff may contain or mobilize high levels of contaminants, such as sediment, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, toxins, oxygen-demanding substances, and floatables.
4. The department strongly encourages partnerships and the watershed approach as the management framework for efficiently, effectively, and consistently protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and protecting public health.
B. As an operator of a small MS4, am I regulated under the state's stormwater program?
1. Unless you qualify for a waiver under subdivision 3 of this subsection, you are regulated if you operate a small MS4, including systems operated by federal, state, tribal, and local governments, including the Virginia Department of Transportation; and
a. Your small MS4 is located in an urbanized area as determined by the latest decennial census by the Bureau of the Census (if your small MS4 is not located entirely within an urbanized area, only the portion that is within the urbanized area is regulated); or
b. You are designated by the department, including where the designation is pursuant to subdivisions C 3 a and b of this section or is based upon a petition under 9VAC25-875-950 D.
2. You may be the subject of a petition to the department to require a permit for your discharge of stormwater. If the department determines that you need a permit, you are required to comply with subsections C through E of this section.
3. The department may waive the requirements otherwise applicable to you if you meet the criteria of subdivision 4 or 5 of this subsection B. If you receive a waiver under this section, you may subsequently be required to seek coverage under a permit in accordance with subdivision C 1 of this section if circumstances change. (See also subdivision E 2 of this section).
4. The department may waive permit coverage if your MS4 serves a population of less than 1,000 within the urbanized area and you meet the following criteria:
a. Your system is not contributing substantially to the pollutant loadings of a physically interconnected MS4 that is regulated by the department; and
b. If you discharge any pollutants that have been identified as a cause of impairment of any water body to which you discharge, stormwater controls are not needed based on wasteload allocations that are part of an approved "total maximum daily load" (TMDL) that addresses the pollutants of concern.
5. The department may waive permit coverage if your MS4 serves a population under 10,000 and you meet the following criteria:
a. The department has evaluated all surface waters, including small streams, tributaries, lakes, and ponds, that receive a discharge from your MS4;
b. For all such waters, the department has determined that stormwater controls are not needed based on wasteload allocations that are part of an approved TMDL that addresses the pollutants of concern or, if a TMDL has not been developed or approved, an equivalent analysis that determines sources and allocations for the pollutants of concern;
c. For the purpose of subdivision 5 of this subsection, the pollutants of concern include biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), sediment or a parameter that addresses sediment (such as total suspended solids, turbidity or siltation), pathogens, oil and grease, and any pollutant that has been identified as a cause of impairment of any water body that will receive a discharge from your MS4; and
d. The department has determined that future discharges from your MS4 do not have the potential to result in exceedances of water quality standards, including impairment of designated uses or other significant water quality impacts, including habitat and biological impacts.
C. If I am an operator of a regulated small MS4, how do I apply for a permit and when do I have to apply?
1. If you operate a regulated small MS4 under subsection B of this section, you must seek coverage under a permit issued by the department.
2. You must seek authorization to discharge under a general or individual permit, as follows:
a. If the department has issued a general permit applicable to your discharge and you are seeking coverage under the general permit, you must submit a registration statement that includes the information on your best management practices and measurable goals required by subdivision D 4 of this section. You may file your own registration statement, or you and other municipalities or governmental entities may jointly submit a registration statement. If you want to share responsibilities for meeting the minimum measures with other municipalities or governmental entities, you must submit a registration statement that describes which minimum measures you will implement and identify the entities that will implement the other minimum measures within the area served by your MS4. The general permit will explain any other steps necessary to obtain permit authorization.
b. (1) If you are seeking authorization to discharge under an individual permit and wish to implement a program under subsection D of this section, you must submit an application to the department that includes the information required under 9VAC25-875-920 F and subdivision D 4 of this section, an estimate of square mileage served by your small MS4, and any additional information that the department requests. A storm sewer map that satisfies the requirement of subdivision D 2 c (1) of this section will satisfy the map requirement in 9VAC25-875-920 F 7.
(2) If you are seeking authorization to discharge under an individual permit and wish to implement a program that is different from the program under subsection D of this section, you will need to comply with the permit application requirements of 9VAC25-875-950 C. You must submit both parts of the application requirements in 9VAC25-875-950 C 1 and 2 by March 10, 2003. You do not need to submit the information required by 9VAC25-875-950 C 1 b and C 2 regarding your legal authority, unless you intend for the permit writer to take such information into account when developing your other permit conditions.
(3) If allowed by the department, you and another regulated entity may jointly apply under either subdivision 2 b (1) or (2) of this subsection to be state co-permittees under an individual permit.
c. If your small MS4 is in the same urbanized area as a medium or large MS4 with a permit and that other MS4 is willing to have you participate in that MS4's stormwater program, you and the other MS4 may jointly seek a modification of the other MS4 permit to include you as a limited state co-permittee. As a limited state co-permittee, you will be responsible for compliance with the permit's conditions applicable to your jurisdiction. If you choose this option you will need to comply with the permit application requirements of 9VAC25-875-950, rather than the requirements of subsection D of this section. You do not need to comply with the specific application requirements of 9VAC25-875-950 C 1 c and d and 9VAC25-875-950 C 2 c (discharge characterization). You may satisfy the requirements in 9VAC25-875-950 C 1 e and 2 d (identification of a management program) by referring to the other MS4's stormwater management program.
d. NOTE: In referencing an MS4's stormwater management program, you should briefly describe how the existing plan will address discharges from your small MS4 or would need to be supplemented in order to adequately address your discharges. You should also explain your role in coordinating stormwater pollutant control activities in your MS4 and detail the resources available to you to accomplish the plan.
3. If you operate a regulated small MS4:
a. Designated under subdivision B 1 a of this section, you must apply for coverage under a permit or apply for a modification of an existing permit under subdivision 2 c of this subsection within 180 days of notice, unless the department grants a later date.
b. Designated under subdivision B 1 b of this section, you must apply for coverage under a permit or apply for a modification of an existing permit under subdivision 2 c of this subsection within 180 days of notice, unless the department grants a later date.
D. As an operator of a regulated small MS4, what will my MS4 permit require?
1. Your MS4 permit will require at a minimum that you develop, implement, and enforce a stormwater management program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from your MS4 to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act, the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act, and the State Water Control Law. Your stormwater management program must include the minimum control measures described in subdivision 2 of this subsection unless you apply for a permit under 9VAC25-875-950 C. For purposes of this section, narrative effluent limitations requiring implementation of best management practices (BMPs) are generally the most appropriate form of effluent limitations when designed to satisfy technology requirements (including reductions of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable) and to protect water quality. Implementation of best management practices consistent with the provisions of the stormwater management program required pursuant to this section and the provisions of the permit required pursuant to subsection C of this section constitutes compliance with the standard of reducing pollutants to the maximum extent practicable. The department will specify a time period of up to five years from the date of permit issuance for you to develop and implement your program.
2. Minimum control measures.
a. Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts.
(1) You must implement a public education program to distribute educational materials to the community or conduct equivalent outreach activities about the impacts of stormwater discharges on water bodies and the steps that the public can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.
(2) NOTE: You may use stormwater educational materials provided by the state, your tribe, EPA, environmental, public interest or trade organizations, or other MS4s. The public education program should inform individuals and households about the steps they can take to reduce stormwater pollution, such as ensuring proper septic system maintenance, ensuring the proper use and disposal of landscape and garden chemicals including fertilizers and pesticides, protecting and restoring riparian vegetation, and properly disposing of used motor oil or household hazardous wastes. The department recommends that the program inform individuals and groups how to become involved in local stream and beach restoration activities as well as activities that are coordinated by youth service and conservation corps or other citizen groups. The department recommends that the public education program be tailored, using a mix of locally appropriate strategies, to target specific audiences and communities. Examples of strategies include: distributing brochures or fact sheets, sponsoring speaking engagements before community groups, providing public service announcements, implementing educational programs targeted at school-age children, and conducting community-based projects such as storm drain stenciling, and watershed and beach cleanups. In addition, the department recommends that some of the materials or outreach programs be directed toward targeted groups of commercial, industrial, and institutional entities likely to have significant stormwater impacts. For example, providing information to restaurants on the impact of grease clogging storm drains and to garages on the impact of oil discharges. You are encouraged to tailor your outreach program to address the viewpoints and concerns of all communities, particularly minority and disadvantaged communities, as well as any special concerns relating to children.
b. Public involvement/participation.
(1) You must, at a minimum, comply with state, tribal, and local public notice requirements when implementing a public involvement/participation program.
(2) The department recommends that the public be included in developing, implementing, and reviewing your stormwater management program and that the public participation process should make efforts to reach out and engage all economic and ethnic groups. Opportunities for members of the public to participate in program development and implementation include serving as citizen representatives on a local stormwater management panel, attending public hearings, working as citizen volunteers to educate other individuals about the program, assisting in program coordination with other pre-existing programs, or participating in volunteer monitoring efforts. (Citizens should obtain approval where necessary for lawful access to monitoring sites.)
c. Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
(1) You must develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges (as defined in 9VAC25-875-850) into your small MS4.
(2) You must:
(a) Develop, if not already completed, a storm sewer system map, showing the location of all outfalls and the names and location of all surface waters that receive discharges from those outfalls;
(b) To the extent allowable under state, tribal, or local law effectively prohibit, through ordinance or other regulatory mechanism, nonstormwater discharges into your storm sewer system and implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions;
(c) Develop and implement a plan to detect and address nonstormwater discharges, including illegal dumping, to your system; and
(d) Inform public employees, businesses, and the general public of hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste.
(3) You need to address the following categories of nonstormwater discharges or flows (i.e., illicit discharges) only if you identify them as significant contributors of pollutants to your small MS4: water line flushing, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows, rising groundwaters, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration (as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005(20)), uncontaminated pumped groundwater, discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, air conditioning condensation, irrigation water, springs, water from crawl space pumps, footing drains, lawn watering, individual residential car washing, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, and street wash water. (Discharges or flows from fire-fighting activities are excluded from the effective prohibition against nonstormwater and need only be addressed where they are identified as significant sources of pollutants to surface waters.)
(4) NOTE: The department recommends that the plan to detect and address illicit discharges include the following four components: (i) procedures for locating priority areas likely to have illicit discharges, (ii) procedures for tracing the source of an illicit discharge, (iii) procedures for removing the source of the discharge, and (iv) procedures for program evaluation and assessment. The department recommends visually screening outfalls during dry weather and conducting field tests of selected pollutants as part of the procedures for locating priority areas. Illicit discharge education actions may include storm drain stenciling; a program to promote, publicize, and facilitate public reporting of illicit connections or discharges; and distribution of outreach materials.
d. Construction site stormwater runoff control.
(1) You must develop, implement, and enforce a program to reduce pollutants in any stormwater runoff to your small MS4 from construction activities that result in a land disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre, or equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet in all areas of the jurisdictions designated as subject to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations adopted pursuant to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Reduction of stormwater discharges from construction activity disturbing less than one acre must be included in your program if that construction activity is part of a larger common plan of development or sale that would disturb one acre or more. If the department waives requirements for stormwater discharges associated with small construction activity in accordance with the definition in 9VAC25-875-20, you are not required to develop, implement, or enforce a program to reduce pollutant discharges from such sites.
(2) Your program must include the development and implementation of, at a minimum:
(a) An ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to require erosion and sediment controls, as well as sanctions to ensure compliance, to the extent allowable under state, tribal, or local law;
(b) Requirements for construction site operators to implement appropriate erosion and sediment control best management practices;
(c) Requirements for construction site operators to control waste such as discarded building materials, concrete truck washout, chemicals, litter, and sanitary waste at the construction site that may cause adverse impacts to water quality;
(d) Procedures for site plan review which incorporate consideration of potential water quality impacts;
(e) Procedures for receipt and consideration of information submitted by the public; and
(f) Procedures for site inspection and enforcement of control measures.
(3) NOTE: Examples of sanctions to ensure compliance include nonmonetary penalties, fines, bonding requirements, or permit denials for noncompliance. The department recommends that procedures for site plan review include the review of individual pre-construction site plans to ensure consistency with erosion and sediment control requirements. Procedures for site inspections and enforcement of control measures could include steps to identify priority sites for inspection and enforcement based on the nature of the construction activity, topography, and the characteristics of soils and receiving water quality. You are encouraged to provide appropriate educational and training measures for construction site operators. You may wish to require a stormwater pollution prevention plan for construction sites within your jurisdiction that discharge into your system. (See 9VAC25-875-1030 L and subdivision E 2 of this section.) The department may recognize that another government entity may be responsible for implementing one or more of the minimum measures on your behalf.
e. Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment.
(1) You must develop, implement, and enforce a program to address stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment projects that disturb greater than or equal to one acre, including projects less than one acre that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, that discharge into your small MS4. Your program must ensure that controls are in place that would prevent or minimize water quality impacts.
(2) You must:
(a) Develop and implement strategies that include a combination of structural and nonstructural best management practices (BMPs) appropriate for your community;
(b) Use an ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to address post-construction runoff from new development and redevelopment projects to the extent allowable under state, tribal, or local law; and
(c) Ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs.
(3) NOTE: If water quality impacts are considered from the beginning stages of a project, new development and potentially redevelopment provide more opportunities for water quality protection. The department recommends that the BMPs chosen be appropriate for the local community, minimize water quality impacts, and attempt to maintain pre-development runoff conditions. In choosing appropriate BMPs, the department encourages you to participate in locally based watershed planning efforts that attempt to involve a diverse group of stakeholders, including interested citizens. When developing a program that is consistent with this measure's intent, the department recommends that you adopt a planning process that identifies the municipality's program goals (e.g., minimize water quality impacts resulting from post-construction runoff from new development and redevelopment), implementation strategies (e.g., adopt a combination of structural and nonstructural BMPs), operation and maintenance policies and procedures, and enforcement procedures. In developing your program, you should consider assessing existing ordinances, policies, programs, and studies that address stormwater runoff quality. In addition to assessing these existing documents and programs, you should provide opportunities to the public to participate in the development of the program. Nonstructural BMPs are preventative actions that involve management and source controls such as: (i) policies and ordinances that provide requirements and standards to direct growth to identified areas, protect sensitive areas such as wetlands and riparian areas, maintain and increase open space (including a dedicated funding source for open space acquisition), provide buffers along sensitive water bodies, minimize impervious surfaces, and minimize disturbance of soils and vegetation; (ii) policies or ordinances that encourage infill development in higher density urban areas, and areas with existing infrastructure; (iii) education programs for developers and the public about project designs that minimize water quality impacts; and (iv) measures such as minimization of percent impervious area after development and minimization of directly connected impervious areas. Structural BMPs include: storage practices such as wet ponds and extended-detention outlet structures; filtration practices such as grassed swales, sand filters, and filter strips; and infiltration practices such as infiltration basins and infiltration trenches. The department recommends that you ensure the appropriate implementation of the structural BMPs by considering some or all of the following: pre-construction review of BMP designs; inspections during construction to verify BMPs are built as designed; post-construction inspection and maintenance of BMPs; and penalty provisions for the noncompliance with design, construction, or operation and maintenance. Stormwater technologies are constantly being improved, and the department recommends that your requirements be responsive to these changes, developments, or improvements in control technologies.
f. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.
(1) You must develop and implement an operation and maintenance program that includes a training component and has the ultimate goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations. Using training materials that are available from EPA, state, tribe, or other organizations, your program must include employee training to prevent and reduce stormwater pollution from activities such as park and open space maintenance, fleet and building maintenance, new construction and land disturbances, and stormwater system maintenance.
(2) NOTE: The department recommends that, at a minimum, you consider the following in developing your program: maintenance activities, maintenance schedules, and long-term inspection procedures for structural and nonstructural stormwater controls to reduce floatables and other pollutants discharged from your separate storm sewers; controls for reducing or eliminating the discharge of pollutants from streets, roads, highways, municipal parking lots, maintenance and storage yards, fleet or maintenance shops with outdoor storage areas, salt/sand storage locations and snow disposal areas operated by you, and waste transfer stations; procedures for properly disposing of waste removed from the separate storm sewers and areas listed above (such as dredge spoil, accumulated sediments, floatables, and other debris); and ways to ensure that new flood management projects assess the impacts on water quality and examine existing projects for incorporating additional water quality protection devices or practices. Operation and maintenance should be an integral component of all stormwater management programs. This measure is intended to improve the efficiency of these programs and require new programs where necessary. Properly developed and implemented operation and maintenance programs reduce the risk of water quality problems.
3. If an existing VESMP requires you to implement one or more of the minimum control measures of subdivision 2 of this subsection, the department may include conditions in your permit that direct you to follow that VESMP's requirements rather than the requirements of subdivision 2 of this subsection. A VESMP is a local, state, or tribal municipal stormwater management program that imposes, at a minimum, the relevant requirements of subdivision 2 of this subsection.
4. a. In your permit application (either a registration statement for coverage under a general permit or an individual permit application), you must identify and submit to the department the following information:
(1) The best management practices (BMPs) that you or another entity will implement for each of the stormwater minimum control measures provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection;
(2) The measurable goals for each of the BMPs including, as appropriate, the months and years in which you will undertake required actions, including interim milestones and the frequency of the action; and
(3) The person responsible for implementing or coordinating your stormwater management program.
b. If you obtain coverage under a general permit, you are not required to meet any measurable goals identified in your registration statement in order to demonstrate compliance with the minimum control measures in subdivisions 2 c through f of this subsection unless, prior to submitting your registration statement, EPA or the department has provided or issued a menu of BMPs that addresses each such minimum measure. Even if no regulatory authority issues the menu of BMPs, however, you still must comply with other requirements of the general permit, including good faith implementation of BMPs designed to comply with the minimum measures.
c. NOTE: Either EPA or the department will provide a menu of BMPs. You may choose BMPs from the menu or select others that satisfy the minimum control measures.
5. a. You must comply with any more stringent effluent limitations in your permit, including permit requirements that modify or are in addition to the minimum control measures based on an approved total maximum daily load (TMDL) or equivalent analysis. The department may include such more stringent limitations based on a TMDL or equivalent analysis that determines such limitations are needed to protect water quality.
b. NOTE: The department strongly recommends that until the evaluation of the stormwater program in subsection G of this section, no additional requirements beyond the minimum control measures be imposed on regulated small MS4s without the agreement of the operator of the affected small MS4, except where an approved TMDL or equivalent analysis provides adequate information to develop more specific measures to protect water quality.
6. You must comply with other applicable permit requirements, standards and conditions established in the individual or general permit developed consistent with the provisions of 9VAC25-31-190 through 9VAC25-31-250, as appropriate.
7. Evaluation and assessment.
a. You must evaluate program compliance, the appropriateness of your identified best management practices, and progress towards achieving your identified measurable goals. The department may determine monitoring requirements for you in accordance with monitoring plans appropriate to your watershed. Participation in a group monitoring program is encouraged.
b. You must keep records required by the permit for at least three years. You must submit your records to the department only when specifically asked to do so. You must make your records, including a description of your stormwater management program, available to the public at reasonable times during regular business hours (see 9VAC25-875-900 for confidentiality provision). You may assess a reasonable charge for copying. You may require a member of the public to provide advance notice.
c. Unless you are relying on another entity to satisfy your permit obligations under subdivision E 1 of this section, you must submit annual reports to the department for your first permit term. For subsequent permit terms, you must submit reports in years two and four unless the department requires more frequent reports. As of the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all reports submitted in compliance with this subsection shall be submitted electronically by the owner, operator, or the duly authorized representative of the small MS4 to the department in compliance with this section and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-875-940, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation. Part XI of 9VAC25-31 is not intended to undo existing requirements for electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of Part XI of 9VAC25-31, the owner, operator, or the duly authorized representative of the small MS4 may be required to report electronically if specified by a particular permit. Your report must include:
(1) The status of compliance with permit conditions, an assessment of the appropriateness of your identified best management practices and progress towards achieving your identified measurable goals for each of the minimum control measures;
(2) Results of information collected and analyzed, including monitoring data, if any, during the reporting period;
(3) A summary of the stormwater activities you plan to undertake during the next reporting cycle;
(4) A change in any identified best management practices or measurable goals for any of the minimum control measures; and
(5) Notice that you are relying on another governmental entity to satisfy some of your permit obligations (if applicable).
E. As an operator of a regulated small MS4, may I share the responsibility to implement the minimum control measures with other entities?
1. You may rely on another entity to satisfy your permit obligations to implement a minimum control measure if:
a. The other entity, in fact, implements the control measure;
b. The particular control measure, or component thereof, is at least as stringent as the corresponding permit requirement; and
c. The other entity agrees to implement the control measure on your behalf. In the reports you must submit under subdivision D 7 c of this section, you must also specify that you rely on another entity to satisfy some of your permit obligations. If you are relying on another governmental entity regulated under the permit program to satisfy all of your permit obligations, including your obligation to file periodic reports required by subdivision D 7 c of this section, you must note that fact in your registration statement, but you are not required to file the periodic reports. You remain responsible for compliance with your permit obligations if the other entity fails to implement the control measure (or component thereof). Therefore, the department encourages you to enter into a legally binding agreement with that entity if you want to minimize any uncertainty about compliance with your permit.
2. In some cases, the department may recognize, either in your individual permit or in a general permit, that another governmental entity is responsible under a permit for implementing one or more of the minimum control measures for your small MS4. Where the department does so, you are not required to include such minimum control measure(s) in your stormwater management program. Your permit may be reopened and modified to include the requirement to implement a minimum control measure if the entity fails to implement it.
F. As an operator of a regulated small MS4, what happens if I don't comply with the application or permit requirements in subsections C through E of this section? Permits are enforceable under the Clean Water Act and the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act. Violators may be subject to the enforcement actions and penalties described in Clean Water Act §§ 309(b), (c), and (g) and 505 or under §§ 62.1-44.15:39 through 62.1-44.15:48 of the Code of Virginia and Article 5 of the State Water Control Law. Compliance with a permit issued pursuant to § 402 of the Clean Water Act is deemed compliance, for purposes of §§ 309 and 505, with §§ 301, 302, 306, 307, and 403, except any standard imposed under § 307 for toxic pollutants injurious to human health. If you are covered as a state co-permittee under an individual permit or under a general permit by means of a joint registration statement, you remain subject to the enforcement actions and penalties for the failure to comply with the terms of the permit in your jurisdiction except as set forth in subdivision E 2 of this section.
G. Will the small MS4 stormwater program regulations at subsections B through F of this section change in the future? EPA intends to conduct an enhanced research effort and compile a comprehensive evaluation of the NPDES MS4 stormwater program. The board will reevaluate the regulations based on data from the EPA NPDES MS4 stormwater program, from research on receiving water impacts from stormwater, and the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs), as well as other relevant information sources.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-980. General permits.
A. The department may issue a general permit in accordance with the following:
1. The general permit shall be written to cover one or more categories or subcategories of discharges, except those covered by individual permits, within a geographic area. The area should correspond to existing geographic or political boundaries, such as:
a. Designated planning areas under §§ 208 and 303 of CWA;
b. Sewer districts or sewer authorities;
c. City, county, or state political boundaries;
d. State highway systems;
e. Standard metropolitan statistical areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget;
f. Urbanized areas as designated by the Bureau of the Census according to criteria in 30 FR 15202 (May 1, 1974); or
g. Any other appropriate division or combination of boundaries.
2. The general permit may be written to regulate one or more categories within the area described in subdivision 1 of this subsection, where the sources within a covered subcategory of discharges are stormwater point sources.
3. Where sources within a specific category of dischargers are subject to water quality-based limits imposed pursuant to 9VAC25-875-1030, the sources in that specific category or subcategory shall be subject to the same water quality-based effluent limitations.
4. The general permit must clearly identify the applicable conditions for each category or subcategory of dischargers covered by the permit.
5. The general permit may exclude specified sources or areas from coverage.
B. Administration.
1. General permits may be issued, modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated in accordance with applicable requirements of this chapter.
2. Authorization to discharge.
a. Except as provided in subdivisions 2 e and 2 f of this subsection, dischargers seeking coverage under a general permit shall submit to the department a written notice of intent to be covered by the general permit. A discharger who fails to submit a notice of intent in accordance with the terms of the permit is not authorized to discharge, under the terms of the general permit unless the general permit, in accordance with subdivision 2 e of this subsection, contains a provision that a notice of intent is not required or the department notifies a discharger (or treatment works treating domestic sewage) that it is covered by a general permit in accordance with subdivision 2 f of this subsection. A complete and timely notice of intent (NOI) to be covered in accordance with general permit requirements fulfills the requirements for permit applications for the purposes of this chapter. As of the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all notices of intent submitted in compliance with this subdivision shall be submitted electronically by the discharger (or treatment works treating domestic sewage) to the department in compliance with this subdivision 2 and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-875-940, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation. Part XI of 9VAC25-31 is not intended to undo existing requirements for electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of Part XI of 9VAC25-31, dischargers or treatment works treating domestic sewage may be required to report electronically if specified by a particular permit.
b. The contents of the notice of intent shall be specified in the general permit and shall require the submission of information necessary for adequate program implementation, including at a minimum, the legal name and address of the owner or operator, the facility name and address, type of facility or discharges, and the receiving stream, and other required data elements as identified in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 127 as adopted by reference in 9VAC25-31-1030. All notices of intent shall be signed in accordance with 9VAC25-875-940.
c. General permits shall specify the deadlines for submitting notices of intent to be covered and the date or dates when a discharger is authorized to discharge under the permit.
d. General permits shall specify whether a discharger that has submitted a complete and timely notice of intent to be covered in accordance with the general permit and that is eligible for coverage under the permit is authorized to discharge in accordance with the permit either upon receipt of the notice of intent by the department after a waiting period specified in the general permit on a date specified in the general permit or upon receipt of notification of inclusion by the department. Coverage may be terminated or revoked in accordance with subdivision 3 of this subsection.
e. Stormwater discharges associated with small construction activity may, at the discretion of the department, be authorized to discharge under a general permit without submitting a notice of intent where the department finds that a notice of intent requirement would be inappropriate. In making such a finding, the department shall consider the (i) type of discharge, (ii) expected nature of the discharge, (iii) potential for toxic and conventional pollutants in the discharges, (iv) expected volume of the discharges, (v) other means of identifying discharges covered by the permit, and (vi) estimated number of discharges to be covered by the permit. The department shall provide in the public notice of the general permit the reasons for not requiring a notice of intent.
f. The department may notify a discharger that it is covered by a general permit, even if the discharger has not submitted a notice of intent to be covered. A discharger so notified may request an individual permit under subdivision 3 c of this subsection.
3. Requiring an individual permit.
a. The department may require any discharger authorized by a general permit to apply for and obtain an individual permit. Any interested person may request the department to take action under this subdivision. Cases where an individual permit may be required include the following:
(1) The discharger is not in compliance with the conditions of the general permit;
(2) A change has occurred in the availability of demonstrated technology or practices for the control or abatement of pollutants applicable to the point source;
(3) Effluent limitation guidelines are promulgated for point sources covered by the general permit;
(4) A water quality management plan, established by the department pursuant to 9VAC25-720, containing requirements applicable to such point sources is approved;
(5) Circumstances have changed since the time of the request to be covered so that the discharger is no longer appropriately controlled under the general permit, or either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of the authorized discharge is necessary;
(6) The discharge is a significant contributor of pollutants. In making this determination, the department may consider the following factors:
(a) The location of the discharge with respect to surface waters;
(b) The size of the discharge;
(c) The quantity and nature of the pollutants discharged to surface waters; and
(d) Other relevant factors;
b. Permits required on a case-by-case basis.
(1) The department may determine, on a case-by-case basis, that certain stormwater discharges, and certain other facilities covered by general permits that do not generally require an individual permit may be required to obtain an individual permit because of their contributions to water pollution.
(2) Whenever the department decides that an individual permit is required under this subsection, except as provided in subdivision 3 b (3) of this subsection, the department shall notify the discharger in writing of that decision and the reasons for it and shall send an application form with the notice. The discharger must apply for a permit within 60 days of notice, unless permission for a later date is granted by the department. The question whether the designation was proper will remain open for consideration during the public comment period for the draft permit and in any subsequent public hearing.
(3) Prior to a case-by-case determination that an individual permit is required for a stormwater discharge under this subsection, the department may require the discharger to submit a permit application or other information regarding the discharge under the State Water Control Law and § 308 of the CWA. In requiring such information, the department shall notify the discharger in writing and shall send an application form with the notice. The discharger must apply for a permit under 9VAC25-875-950 A 1 within 60 days of notice or under 9VAC25-875-950 A 8 within 180 days of notice, unless permission for a later date is granted by the department. The question whether the initial designation was proper will remain open for consideration during the public comment period for the draft permit and in any subsequent public hearing.
c. Any owner or operator authorized by a general permit may request to be excluded from the coverage of the general permit by applying for an individual permit. The owner or operator shall submit an application under 9VAC25-875-920 with reasons supporting the request. The request shall be processed under the applicable parts of this chapter. The request shall be granted by issuing of an individual permit if the reasons cited by the owner or operator are adequate to support the request.
d. When an individual permit is issued to an owner or operator otherwise subject to a general permit, the applicability of the general permit to the individual permit permittee is automatically terminated on the effective date of the individual permit.
e. A source excluded from a general permit solely because it already has an individual permit may request that the individual permit be revoked and that it be covered by the general permit. Upon revocation of the individual permit, the general permit shall apply to the source.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.
9VAC25-875-990. New sources and new discharges.
A. Criteria for new source determination.
1. Except as otherwise provided in an applicable new source performance standard, a source is a new source if the source meets the definition of new source in this chapter and
a. The source is constructed at a site at which no other source is located;
b. The source totally replaces the process or production equipment that causes the discharge of pollutants at an existing source; or
c. The source's processes are substantially independent of an existing source at the same site. In determining whether these processes are substantially independent, the department shall consider such factors as the extent to which the new facility is integrated with the existing plant and the extent to which the new facility is engaged in the same general type of activity as the existing source.
2. A source meeting the requirements of subdivision 1 a, b, or c of this subsection is a new source only if a new source performance standard is independently applicable to it. If there is no such independently applicable standard, the source is a new discharger.
3. Construction on a site at which an existing source is located results in a permit modification subject to 9VAC25-875-1230 rather than a new source (or a new discharger) if the construction does not create a new building, structure, facility, or installation meeting the criteria of subdivision 1 b or c of this subsection but otherwise alters, replaces, or adds to existing process or production equipment.
4. Construction of a new source has commenced if the owner or operator has:
a. Begun, or caused to begin as part of a continuous onsite construction program:
(1) Any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment; or
(2) Significant site preparation work, including clearing, excavation, or removal of existing buildings, structures, or facilities that is necessary for the placement, assembly, or installation of new source facilities or equipment; or
b. Entered into a binding contractual obligation for the purchase of facilities or equipment that are intended to be used in the new source's operation within a reasonable time. Options to purchase or contracts that can be terminated or modified without substantial loss and contracts for feasibility engineering, and design studies do not constitute a contractual obligation under this subdivision 4 b.
B. Effect of compliance with new source performance standards. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to existing sources that modify the existing sources' pollution control facilities or construct new pollution control facilities and achieve performance standards, but that are neither new sources nor new dischargers or otherwise do not meet the requirements of this subsection.
1. Except as provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection, any new discharger, the construction of which commenced after October 18, 1972, or new source that meets the applicable promulgated new source performance standards before the commencement of discharge may not be subject to any more stringent new source performance standards or to any more stringent technology-based standards under § 301(b)(2) of the CWA for the soonest ending of the following periods:
a. 10 years from the date that construction is completed;
b. 10 years from the date the source begins to discharge process or other nonconstruction related wastewater; or
c. The period of depreciation or amortization of the facility for the purposes of § 167 or 169 (or both) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 USC § 167 and 26 USC § 169, respectively).
2. The protection from more stringent standards of performance afforded by subdivision 1 of this subsection does not apply to:
a. Additional or more stringent permit conditions that are not technology based; for example, conditions based on water quality standards, or toxic effluent standards or prohibitions under the State Water Control Law and § 307(a) of the CWA; or
b. Additional permit conditions controlling toxic pollutants or hazardous substances that are not controlled by new source performance standards. This includes permit conditions controlling pollutants other than those identified as toxic pollutants or hazardous substances when control of these pollutants has been specifically identified as the method to control the toxic pollutants or hazardous substances.
3. When a separate VPDES or permit issued to a source with a protection period under subdivision 1 of this subsection will expire on or after the expiration of the protection period, that permit shall require the owner or operator of the source to comply with the requirements of § 301 of the CWA and any other then applicable requirements of the CWA and the State Water Control Law immediately upon the expiration of the protection period. No additional period for achieving compliance with these requirements may be allowed except when necessary to achieve compliance with requirements promulgated less than three years before the expiration of the protection period.
4. The owner or operator of a new source, a new discharger that commenced discharge after August 13, 1979, or a recommencing discharger shall install and have in operating condition and shall start up all pollution control equipment required to meet the conditions of its permits before beginning to discharge. Within the shortest feasible time (not to exceed 90 days), the owner or operator must meet all permit conditions. The requirements of this subdivision do not apply if the owner or operator is issued a permit containing a compliance schedule under 9VAC25-875-1060 A 2.
5. After the effective date of new source performance standards, it shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of any new source to operate the source in violation of those standards applicable to the source.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 8, eff. July 1, 2024.