Types of NPDES Permits

There are two types of NPDES permits:

• An individual permit is unique to each facility. The limitations and other conditions in an individual permit are based on the facility's operations, type and amount of discharge, and receiving stream, among other factors.
  

• A general permit is one permit that covers facilities that have similar operations and types of discharge and are located in a specific geographic area. Using a general permit to cover numerous facilities can reduce the paperwork for both permitting authorities and permittees. A general permit can also ensure the consistency of permit conditions for similar facilities.

  • Facilities with stormwater point sources

  • Facilities that involve the same or substantially similar types of operations

  • Facilities that discharge the same types of wastes or engage in the same types of sludge use or disposal practices

  • Facilities that require the same effluent limits, operating conditions, or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal

  • Facilities that require the same or similar monitoring

Copyright @ January,2005 Prepared by Transportation Environmental Resource Center (TERC)