National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Application Requirements for Publicly Owned Treatment Works and Other Treatment Works Treating Domestic Sewage

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today amends permit application requirements and application forms for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and other treatment works treating domestic sewage (TWTDS). TWTDS include facilities that generate sewage sludge, provide commercial treatment of sewage sludge, manufacture a product derived from sewage sludge, or provide disposal of sewage sludge. Today's rule consolidates POTW application requirements, including information regarding toxics monitoring, whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing, industrial user and hazardous waste contributions, and sewer collection system overflows. The most significant revisions require toxic monitoring by major POTWs (and other pretreatment POTWs) and limited pollutant monitoring by minor POTWs. EPA believes that permitting authorities need this information in order to issue permits that adequately protect the Nation's water resources. Form 2A replaces existing Standard Form A and Short Form A to account for changes in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program since the forms were issued in 1973. The regulations also clarify the requirements for TWTDS and allow the permitting authorities to obtain the information needed to issue permits that meet the requirements of the 40 CFR Part 503 sewage sludge use or disposal regulations. Form 2S replaces the existing Interim Sewage Sludge Form. Form 2S is similar to the Interim Sewage Sludge Form but requires less information. EPA is revising these regulations to ensure that permitting authorities obtain the information necessary to issue permits which protect the environment in the most efficient manner. The forms make it easier for permit applicants to provide the necessary information with their applications and minimize the need for additional follow-up requests from permitting authorities. EPA expects the rule to reduce current annual reporting and record keeping burdens by 21 percent, by standardizing the forms