| name | npdes-permit-application |
| title | NPDES Permit Application |
| description | Drafts NPDES permit applications under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1342) for facilities discharging pollutants into U.S. waters. Covers initial, renewal, and modification applications with discharge characterization, treatment descriptions, water quality analysis, and monitoring programs. Use when drafting NPDES permits, discharge authorizations, point source permits, or CWA compliance filings. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/npdes-permit-application |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | environmental |
| language | en |
| tags | ["drafting","regulatory"] |
NPDES Permit Application
Drafts a complete National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit application for submission to EPA or an authorized state agency. Covers EPA Form 1/2 series and state equivalents.
Prerequisites
Gather before drafting:
- Facility ID — legal name, FEIN, SIC/NAICS, coordinates (decimal degrees, ≥4 places)
- Existing permit — number, expiration, compliance history, NOVs, consent orders
- DMR data — minimum 1 year (preferably 3 years) of historical discharge monitoring
- Site plans — outfall locations, treatment layout, water balance, process flow diagrams
- Receiving water — water body name, segment ID, classification, designated uses, 303(d) status
- Treatment specs — unit operations, design capacities, operating parameters
- Permitting authority — EPA Regional Office or delegated state agency; applicable forms and fee schedule
Quick Start
- Confirm whether state has NPDES primacy — determines forms and submission portal
- Identify all outfalls and characterize discharges
- Draft sections in order below, cross-referencing throughout
- Verify internal consistency (flows, concentrations, and capacities must agree across sections)
- Compile attachments, generate index, submit as text-searchable PDF with bookmarks
Application Sections
1. Applicant & Facility Information
- Legal name exactly as registered with state corporate authorities
- Owner vs. operator identified separately per 40 CFR § 122.22
- Location: street address + lat/long (decimal degrees, ≥4 places)
- Receiving water: official name, segment ID, WQ classification, designated uses
- SIC/NAICS code (determines applicable ELGs under 40 CFR Parts 405–471)
- Existing permit: number, expiration, modifications, compliance history
2. Discharge Characterization
Per outfall, provide:
- Outfall ID with coordinates; discharge type (continuous/intermittent with triggers)
- Flow data: average and maximum daily flow (gpd/mgd), seasonal variations
- Water balance: inputs, reuse, distribution among outfalls
Pollutant data table per outfall — include for each parameter: analytical method (40 CFR 136), detection limit, sample count, min/max/avg concentrations, mass loading (lb/day). Required parameters:
- BOD, TSS, pH, fecal coliform, oil & grease
