NPDES Permit Writers' Course
The objective of the NPDES Permit Writers' Course is to provide the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits as required under the NPDES Permit Program.
The course is designed for new permit writers, highlighting the process of developing, issuing, and complying with NPDES permits. Experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program are welcome.
The NPDES permit writers' course is a five-day course covering the key elements of NPDES permit development. The course is taught by experienced EPA staff and contractors and has been one of EPA's most successful courses over the past decade.
Because of the popularity of the course, EPA has recorded web-based presentations covering the material presented in several key modules of the live course. The presentations also are useful for those who have not attended a live course, but wish to become familiar with important concepts of the NPDES permits program.
Presentation Instructions:
Use the TABS on the left-hand side of the screen to choose an outline or transcript view. If you want to comment or ask a question, click the email link to contact the instructor. You can pause or go back to a previous slide much like using a DVD player. Hitting the UP ARROW or LEFT ARROW keys will go back to the beginning of the previous slide. Hitting the DOWN ARROW or RIGHT ARROW keys will move to the beginning of the next slide.
There is an eight-question quiz at the end of this presentation. You must pass this quiz in order to complete the presentation and print a certificate of completion. A passing score is 80 out of 100 points. The questions on the quiz have different point values based on level of difficulty. The point value for each question is indicated as that question in presented in the quiz. If you do not pass the quiz, you may either retake the quiz by clicking "Retry Quiz" at the end of the quiz or return to the beginning of the presentation by clicking "Finish" at the end of the quiz.
- Session 1: Overview of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the NPDES Program -- Introduces the history of the CWA and the statutory framework for the NPDES program. (28 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 2: Scope and Regulatory Framework of the NPDES Program -- Introduces the regulations that govern implementation of the NPDES program. (33 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 3: The NPDES Permit Application Process -- Provides an introduction to the information required in NPDES permit applications, the application process, and the role of a permit writer in reviewing NPDES permit applications. (27 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 4: Technology-based Effluent Limitations for POTWs -- Provides an overview of the national technology-based standards for POTWs and the process for implementing those standards through NPDES permits. (28 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 5: Technology-based Effluent Limitations for Non-POTWs -- Provides an overview of the national technology-based standards for facilities other than POTWs (such as manufacturing and other industrial and commercial facilities) and the process for implementing those standards through NPDES permits. (46 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 6: WQBELs Part I—Identifying the Applicable Water Quality Standards -- Part I of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. It introduces the water quality standards program, including the role of the permit writer and the function of the NPDES permit in implementing water quality standards. (36 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 7: WQBELs Part II—Characterizing the Effluent and Receiving Water -- Part II of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. Gaining an understanding of the content of the first presentation in the series is highly recommended before viewing this presentation. (29 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 8: WQBELs Part III—Determining the Need for Chemical-Specific WQBELs -- Part III of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. Gaining an understanding of the content of the first two presentations in the series is highly recommended before viewing this presentation. (46 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 9: WQBELs Part IV—Calculating Chemical-Specific WQBELs -- Part IV of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. Gaining an understanding of the content of the first three presentations in the series is highly recommended before viewing this presentation. (35 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 10: Monitoring and Reporting Requirements in NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the regulatory requirements and other considerations that affect the monitoring and reporting requirements included in NPDES permits for different types of permitted facilities. (30 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 11: Special or Narrative Conditions in NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the types of special conditions that might be included in NPDES permits for different types of permitted facilities. (33 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 12: Standard Conditions of NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the regulations that specify the standard conditions that must be included in all NPDES permits. (17 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 13: Administrative Process for NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the administrative process leading to NPDES permit issuance and events that can occur after final permit issuance. (36 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)