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Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program

What's New

6/22/10: Water Annual Maintenance Fee amendments take effect this billing year (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011)

4/01/10: 2009 Nutrient Loads

5/15/09: Industrial Storm Water General Permit Registration Statements for public review.

5/07/09: VPA page updated: Biosolids Land Applicator Certification Training and Exam Web Page

4/27/09: Non-Metallic Mineral Mining General Permit (VAG 84) Reissuance Update

4/27/09: Industrial Storm Water General Permit (VAR 05) Reissuance update.

2/20/09: Lab Stakeholder Workgroup information and Summary of 2008 Meetings.

11/10/08: Frequently Asked Questions regarding the DEQ Biosolids Program

7/17/08: Here are answers to frequently asked questions during the recent training on changes to 40 CFR Pat 136 (Revision 2 - 07/18/08).

5/8/08: New web page - Microconstituents in the Environment

2/5/08: Trading Nutrient Reductions from Nonpoint Source Best Management Practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Guidance for Agricultural Landowners and Your Potential Trading Partners - REVISED (originally posted 1/2/08)

1/4/08: Nutrient Trading Annual Report Form

8/8/07: A table comparing QC requirements in Part 1020 of the approved editions of Standard Methods is available. Check other parts of Standard Methods and the individual methods for additional QC that may be required.

3/26/07: The Federal Register published modifications to several tables in 40 CFR Part 136 originally published on March 12, 2007. Modifications affect Table IA – List of Approved Biological methods for Wastewater and Sewage Sludge, and Table II – Required Container, Preservation Techniques, and Holding Times. It also establishes Table IH – List of Approved Microbiological Methods for Ambient Water. An edited version of Table IA and Table II will help determine the changes made.

3/12/07: The Final Rule for 40 CFR Part 136 that establishes the approved test procedures for pollutants under the Clean Water Act was published March 12, 2007. In Virginia, the effective date of this regulation is September 12, 2007. Over 100 EPA methods were withdrawn and many new or revised methods were added. An edited version of Table IB will help determine which methods were withdrawn and which were added. This revised table is only an aid. For compliance purposes, always refer to the official version of 40 CFR. 

Section 402 of the Clean Water Act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System to limit pollutant discharges into streams, rivers, and bays. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, DEQ administers the program as the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES). Though DEQ requires Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for all point source discharges to surface waters, the US Environmental Protection Agency maintains authority to review applications and permits for "major" dischargers, a distinction based on discharge quantity and content.

DEQ and the Department of Conservation and Recreation coordinate separate State programs that regulate the management of pollutants carried by storm water runoff.  DEQ regulates storm water discharges associated with "industrial activities", while DCR regulates storm water discharges from construction sites, and from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). More information can be found in the Storm Water Permitting section, and at the Department of Conservation and Recreation's web site.

Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for surface coal mines are issued by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy.

Water permit guidance documents can be found at this link.

Individual Permits

DEQ issues individual permits to both municipal and industrial facilities. Permit requirements, special conditions, effluent limitations and monitoring requirements are determined for each facility on a site specific basis in order to meet applicable water quality standards. Questions about individual permits for specific facilities should be addressed to the DEQ Regional Office that serves the area where the facility is located. Copies of individual permit application forms can be downloaded from the Permits, Fees and Regulations page.

General Permits

General permits are permits written for a general class of dischargers.  In Virginia, general permits must be written as permits and adopted as regulations. Since they are regulations, they must be adopted using the Administrative Process Act (APA) requirements, which specify a standard adoption process and public participation/public input procedures. The State Water Control Board has adopted the following VPDES general permits:

  • 9 VAC 25-110 (VAG 40) - Domestic Sewage Discharges of Less Than or Equal To 1,000 Gallons Per Day (also known as the "single family home" general permit). Effective 8-2-2006, expires 8-1-2011. For more information on this general permit contact Burt Tuxford. The reissuance of this permit is currently under way.
  • 9 VAC 25-115 (VAG 52) - Seafood Processing Facilities. Effective 7-24-2006, expires 7-23-2011. For more information on this general permit contact Elleanore Daub. The reissuance of this permit is currently under way.
  • 9 VAC 25-120 (VAG 83) - Petroleum Contaminated Sites and Hydrostatic Tests. Effective 2-26-2008, expires 2-25-2013. For more information on this general permit contact Burt Tuxford.
  • 9 VAC 25-151 (VAR 05) - Discharges of Storm Water Associated With Industrial Activity. Effective 7-1-2009, expires 6-30-2014. For more information on this general permit contact Burt Tuxford.
  • 9 VAC 25-190 (VAG 84) - Non-Metallic Mineral Mining. Effective 7-1-2009, expires 6-30-2014. For more information on this general permit contact Fred Cunningham.
  • 9 VAC 25-191 (VAG 01) - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Effective 1-1-2006, expires 12-31-2010. For more information on this general permit contact Betsy Bowles.
  • 9 VAC 25-193 (VAG 11) - Concrete Products Facilities (formerly Ready-Mixed Concrete Plants). Effective 10-1-2008, expires 9-30-2013. For more information on this general permit contact Elleanore Daub.
  • 9 VAC 25-194 (VAG 75) - Car Wash Facilities. Effective 10-16-2007, expires 10-15-2012. For more information on this general permit contact Elleanore Daub. 
  • 9 VAC 25-196 (VAG 25) - Noncontact Cooling Water Discharges. Effective 3-2-2008, expires 3-1-2013. For more information on this general permit contact Burt Tuxford.
  • 9 VAC 25-810 (VAG 72) - Coin Operated Laundries. Effective 2-9-2006, expires 2-8-2011. For more information on this general permit contact Elleanore Daub.  The reissuance of this permit is currently under way.
  • 9 VAC 25-820 (VAN 00) - Watershed Permit For Total Nitrogen And Total Phosphorus Discharges And Nutrient Trading In The Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Effective 1-1-2007, expires 12-31-2011. For more information on this general permit contact Allan Brockenbrough. The reissuance of this permit is currently under way.
  • 9 VAC 25-860 (VAG 64) - Potable Water Treatment Plants. Effective 12-24-2008, expires 12-23-2013. For more information on this general permit contact Elleanore Daub.

Questions about general permit coverage for specific facilities should be addressed to the DEQ Regional Office that serves the area where the facility is located. Copies of the general permit regulations and the associated Registration Statement forms to apply for permit coverage can be downloaded from the Permits, Fees and Regulations page.

General Permits Under Development/Amendment

The following general permit regulation is currently under development or in the process of amendment (for either re-adoption or modification).

(This links to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website)

 

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