9 Va. Admin. Code § 25-120-80 – General permit.

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.
1. 1. SHORT TERM PROJECTS.
  1. a. Emergency repairs;
  2. b. Dewatering projects. Dewatering projects shall be managed to control the volume and velocity of the discharge, including peak flow rates and total volume, to minimize erosion at outlets and to minimize downstream channel and stream bank erosion;
  3. c. Utility work and repairs in areas of known contamination;
  4. d. Tank placement or removal in areas of known contamination;
  5. e. Pilot studies or pilot tests, including aquifer tests; and
  6. f. New well construction discharges of groundwater.
    Effluent limits for short term projects correspond to the type of contamination at the project site and are given in Tables A 3 through A 6 below. The sampling frequency for these projects shall be once per discharge. Discharge monitoring reports for these projects are not required to be submitted to the department, but shall be retained by the owner for a period of at least three years from the completion date of the project.
    Owners shall notify the department's regional office in writing within 14 days of the completion of the project discharge. The notification shall include the owner's name and address, the type of discharge that occurred, the physical location of the project work, and the receiving stream. If the discharge is to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), the owner shall also notify the MS4 owner within 14 days of the completion of the discharge.
    Part I
  The following types of short term projects (14 consecutive calendar days or less in duration) are authorized under this permit:

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.

2. DISCHARGES OF HYDROSTATIC TEST WATERS -- ALL RECEIVING WATERS.

During the period beginning with the permittee's coverage under this general permit and lasting until the permit's expiration date, the permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall serial number xxxx. Samples taken in compliance with the monitoring requirements specified below shall be taken at the following location: outfall from the final treatment unit prior to mixing with any other waters.

Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:

EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS	DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS	MONITORING REQUIREMENTS⁽²⁾
Instantaneous Minimum	Instantaneous Maximum	Frequency	Sample Type
Flow (GPD)	NA	NL	1/discharge	Estimate
pH (standard units)	6.0	9.0	1/discharge	Grab
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH, mg/l) ⁽¹⁾	NA	15	1/discharge	Grab
Total Organic Carbon (TOC, mg/l)	NA	NL	1/discharge	Grab
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC, mg/l)⁽³⁾	NA	0.011⁽³⁾	1/discharge	Grab
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	NA	NL	1/discharge	Grab
NL = No limitation, monitoring required NA = Not applicable The equipment being tested shall be substantially free of debris, raw material, product, or other residual materials. The discharge flow shall be managed to control the volume and velocity of the discharge, including peak flow rates and total volume, to minimize erosion at outlets, and to minimize downstream channel and stream bank erosion. ⁽¹⁾TPH is the sum of individual gasoline range organics and diesel range organics or TPH-GRO and TPH-DRO to be measured by EPA SW 846 Method 8015C (2000) or EPA SW 846 Method 8015C (2007) for gasoline and diesel range organics, or by EPA SW 846 Methods 8260B (1996) and 8270D (2014) or 8270E (2018). ⁽²⁾Discharge monitoring reports for hydrostatic test discharges are not required to be submitted to the department but shall be retained by the owner for a period of at least three years from the completion date of the hydrostatic test. Owners shall notify the department's regional office in writing within 14 days of the completion of the hydrostatic test discharge. The notification shall include the owner's name and address, the type of hydrostatic test that occurred, the physical location of the test work, and the receiving stream. ⁽³⁾Total residual chlorine limitation of 0.011 mg/l and chlorine monitoring only apply to discharges of test water that have been chlorinated or come from a chlorinated water supply. All data below the quantification level (QL) of 0.1 mg/L shall be reported as "<QL."

Part I

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.

3. GASOLINE CONTAMINATION -- ALL RECEIVING WATERS.

Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:

EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS	DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS	MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Instantaneous Minimum	Instantaneous Maximum	Frequency	Sample Type
Flow (GPD)	NA	NL	⁽⁴⁾	Estimate
Benzene (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.8	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Toluene (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	43	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Ethylbenzene (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	4.3	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Total Xylenes (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	33	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾
*Freshwaters not listed as public water supplies and saltwater*	NA	440	1/Month⁽⁴⁾	Grab
*Freshwaters listed as public water supply*	NA	15	2/Month⁽⁴⁾	Grab
pH (standard units)	6.0	9.0	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Lead (μg/l)⁽²⁾	NA	7.2	⁽⁴⁾	Grab


Total Hardness (mg/l CaCO₃)⁽²⁾	NL	NA	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Ethylene Dibromide (μg/l)⁽²⁾
*Freshwaters not listed as public water supplies and saltwater*	NA	1.9	1/Month⁽⁴⁾	Grab
*Freshwaters listed as public water supply*	NA	0.16	2/Month⁽⁴⁾	Grab
1,2 Dichloroethane (μg/l)⁽²⁾	NA	3.8	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Ethanol (μg/l)⁽³⁾	NA	4100	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
NL = No limitation, monitoring required NA = Not applicable ⁽¹⁾Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Total Xylenes and MTBE shall be analyzed according to a current and appropriate EPA Wastewater Method (40 CFR Part 136) or EPA SW 846 Method 8021B (2014). ⁽²⁾Monitoring for this parameter is required only when contamination results from leaded fuel. Lead shall be analyzed according to a current and appropriate EPA Wastewater Method (40 CFR Part 136). 1,2 dichloroethane and ethylene dibromide (EDB) shall be analyzed by a current and appropriate EPA SW 846 Method or EPA Wastewater Method from 40 CFR Part 136. EDB in wastewaters discharged to public water supplies shall be analyzed using EPA SW 846 Method 8011 (1992) or EPA Drinking Water Method 504.1 (1995). ⁽³⁾Monitoring for ethanol is only required for discharges of water contaminated by gasoline containing greater than 10% ethanol. Ethanol shall be analyzed according to EPA SW 846 Method 8015C (2000) or EPA SW 846 Method 8015C (2007) or EPA SW 846 Method 8260B (1996). ⁽⁴⁾The monitoring frequency for discharges into freshwaters not listed as public water supplies and saltwater shall be once per month. If the first 12 months of permit coverage results demonstrate full compliance with the effluent limitations, the permittee may request that the monitoring frequency for ethanol be reduced from monthly to 1/quarter. The written request shall be sent to the appropriate DEQ regional office for review. Upon written notification from the regional office, monitoring frequency may be reduced to 1/quarter. Should the permittee be issued a warning letter related to violation of effluent limitations or a notice of violation or be the subject of an active enforcement action, monitoring frequency for ethanol shall revert to 1/month upon issuance of the letter or notice or execution of the enforcement action and remain in effect until the permit's expiration date. Reports of quarterly monitoring shall be submitted to the DEQ regional office no later than the 10th day of April, July, October, and January in each year of permit coverage. The monitoring frequency for discharges into freshwaters listed as public water supplies shall be twice per month for all constituents or parameters. If the first 12 months of permit coverage results demonstrate full compliance with the effluent limitations, the permittee may request that the monitoring frequency for ethanol be reduced to 1/quarter and the other parameters to 1/month. The written request shall be sent to the appropriate DEQ regional office for review. Upon written notification from the regional office, the monitoring frequency for ethanol may be reduced to 1/quarter and the other parameters to1/month. Should the permittee be issued a warning letter related to violation of effluent limitations or a notice of violation or be the subject of an active enforcement action, monitoring frequency shall revert to 2/month upon issuance of the letter or notice or execution of the enforcement action and remain in effect until the permit's expiration date. Reports of quarterly monitoring shall be submitted to the DEQ regional office no later than the 10th day of April, July, October, and January in each year of permit coverage.

Part I

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.

4. CONTAMINATION BY PETROLEUM PRODUCTS OTHER THAN GASOLINE -- ALL RECEIVING WATERS.

Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:

EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS	DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS	MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Instantaneous Minimum	Instantaneous Maximum	Frequency	Sample Type
Flow (GPD)	NA	NL	⁽⁴⁾	Estimate
Naphthalene (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	8.9	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (mg/l)⁽²⁾	NA	15	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
pH (standard units)	6.0	9.0	⁽⁴⁾	Grab
Benzene (μg/l)⁽³⁾	NA	5.8	2/Month⁽⁴⁾	Grab
MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) (μg/l)⁽³⁾	NA	15	2/Month⁽⁴⁾	Grab
NL = No limitation, monitoring required NA = Not applicable ⁽¹⁾Naphthalene shall be analyzed by a current and appropriate EPA Wastewater Method from 40 CFR Part 136 or a current and appropriate EPA SW 846 Method. ⁽²⁾TPH shall be analyzed using EPA SW 846 Method 8015C (2000) or EPA SW 846 Method 8015C (2007) for diesel range organics, or by EPA SW 846 Method 8270D (2014) or 8270E (2018). ⁽³⁾Monitoring for benzene and MTBE is only required for discharges into freshwaters listed as public water supplies. Benzene and MTBE shall be analyzed according to a current and appropriate EPA Wastewater Method (40 CFR Part 136) or EPA SW 846 Method. ⁽⁴⁾The monitoring frequency for discharges into freshwaters not listed as public water supplies and saltwater shall be once per month. The monitoring frequency for discharges into freshwaters listed as public water supplies shall be twice per month for all constituents or parameters. If the first 12 months of permit coverage results demonstrate full compliance with the effluent limitations, the permittee may request that the monitoring frequency be reduced to once per month. The written request shall be sent to the appropriate DEQ regional office for review. Upon written notification from the regional office, the monitoring frequency for ethanol may be reduced to 1/quarter or the other parameters to1/month. Should the permittee be issued a warning letter related to violation of effluent limitations or a notice of violation or be the subject of an active enforcement action, monitoring frequency shall revert to 2/month upon issuance of the letter or notice or execution of the enforcement action and remain in effect until the permit's expiration date.

Part I

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.

5. CONTAMINATION BY CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS -- ALL RECEIVING WATERS.

Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:

EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS	DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS	MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Instantaneous Minimum	Instantaneous Maximum	Frequency	Sample Type
Flow (GPD)	NA	NL	1/Month	Estimate
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Estimate
Chloroform (CAS # 67663), (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	60	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
1,1 Dichloroethane (CAS # 75343) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	2.4	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
1,2 Dichloroethane (CAS # 107062) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	3.8	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
1,1 Dichloroethylene (CAS # 75354) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	7.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
cis-1,2 Dichloroethylene (CAS # 159592) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	70	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
trans 1,2 Dichloroethylene (CAS # 156605) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	100	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Methylene Chloride (CAS # 75092) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Tetrachloroethylene (CAS # 127184) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
1,1,1 Trichloroethane (CAS # 71556) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	54	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
1,1,2 Trichloroethane (CAS # 79005) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Trichloroethylene (CAS # 79016) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Vinyl Chloride (CAS # 75014) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	2.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Carbon Tetrachloride (CAS # 56235) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	2.3	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
1,2 Dichlorobenzene (CAS # 95501) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	16	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Chlorobenzene (CAS # 108907) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	3.4	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Trichlorofluoromethane (CAS # 75694) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
Chloroethane (CAS # 75003) (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	3.6	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
pH (standard units)	6.0	9.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽²⁾	Grab
NL = No limitation, monitoring required NA = Not applicable ⁽¹⁾This constituent shall be analyzed by a current and appropriate gas chromatograph/mass spectroscopy method from EPA SW 846 or the EPA Wastewater Method series from 40 CFR Part 136. ⁽²⁾Monitoring frequency for discharges into surface waters listed as public water supplies shall be 2/month for the first year of permit coverage. If the first 12 months of permit coverage results demonstrate full compliance with the effluent limitations, the permittee may request that the monitoring frequency be reduced from 2/month to 1/month. The written request shall be sent to the appropriate DEQ regional office for review. Upon written notification from the regional office, monitoring frequency may be reduced to 1/month. Should the permittee be issued a warning letter related to violation of effluent limitations or a notice of violation, or be the subject of an active enforcement action, monitoring frequency shall revert to 2/month upon issuance of the letter or notice or execution of the enforcement action and remain in effect until the permit's expiration date.

Part I

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.

6. DEWATERING ACTIVITIES WITH CONTAMINATION BY METALS -- ALL RECEIVING WATERS.

Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:

EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS	DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS	MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Instantaneous Minimum	Instantaneous Maximum	Frequency	Sample Type
Flow (GPD)	NA	NL	1/Month	Estimate
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Estimate
Total Hardness (as CaCO₃in mg/l)⁽²⁾	NA	NL	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Antimony (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.6	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Arsenic (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	10	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Cadmium (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	0.55	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Chromium (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	11	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Copper (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	6.6	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Lead (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	7.2	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Mercury (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	0.77	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Nickel (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	15	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Selenium (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	5.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Silver (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	1.9	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Thallium (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	0.24	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
Total Recoverable Zinc (μg/l)⁽¹⁾	NA	87	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
pH (standard units)	6.0	9.0	1/Month	Grab
2/Month if public water supply⁽³⁾	Grab
NL = No limitation, monitoring required NA = Not applicable ⁽¹⁾Metals shall be analyzed by a current and appropriate EPA Wastewater Method from 40 CFR Part 136. ⁽²⁾Total Hardness shall be collected concurrently with the metals. ⁽³⁾The monitoring frequency for discharges into freshwaters not listed as public water supplies and saltwater shall be once per month. The monitoring frequency for discharges into freshwaters listed as public water supplies shall be twice per month for all constituents or parameters. If the first 12 months of permit coverage results demonstrate full compliance with the effluent limitations, the permittee may request that the monitoring frequency be reduced to once per month. The written request shall be sent to the appropriate DEQ regional office for review. Upon written notification from the regional office, the monitoring frequency for ethanol may be reduced to 1/quarter or the other parameters to 1/month. Should the permittee be issued a warning letter related to violation of effluent limitations or a notice of violation or be the subject of an active enforcement action, monitoring frequency shall revert to 2/month upon issuance of the letter or notice or execution of the enforcement action and remain in effect until the permit's expiration date.

Part I

B. Special conditions.
1. 1. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
2. 2. The permittee shall sample each permitted outfall each calendar month in which a discharge occurs. When no discharge occurs from an outfall during a calendar month, the discharge monitoring report for that outfall shall be submitted indicating "No Discharge."
3. 3. Operation and maintenance (O&M) manual. If the permitted discharge is through a treatment works, within 30 days of coverage under this general permit, the permittee shall develop and maintain on-site, an O&M manual for the treatment works permitted in this general permit. This manual shall detail practices and procedures that will be followed to ensure compliance with the requirements of this permit. The permittee shall operate the treatment works in accordance with the O&M manual. The manual shall be made available to the department upon request.
4. 4. Operation schedule. The permittee shall construct, install and begin operating the treatment works described in the registration statement prior to discharging to surface waters. The permittee shall notify the department's regional office within five days after the completion of installation and commencement of operation.
5. 5. Materials storage. Except as expressly authorized by this permit or another permit issued by the department or general permit adopted by the board, no product, materials, industrial wastes, or other wastes resulting from the purchase, sale, mining, extraction, transport, preparation, or storage of raw or intermediate materials, final product, byproduct or wastes, shall be handled, disposed of, or stored so as to permit a discharge of such product, materials, industrial wastes, or other wastes to state waters.
6. 6. If the permittee discharges to surface waters through an MS4, the permittee shall, within 30 days of coverage under this general permit, notify the owner of the municipal separate storm sewer system in writing of the existence of the discharge and provide the following information: the name of the facility, a contact person, and telephone number, the location of the discharge, the nature of the discharge, and the facility's VPDES general permit number. A copy of such notification shall be provided to the department. Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) required to be submitted under this permit shall be submitted to both the department and the owner of the municipal separate storm sewer system.
7. 7. Monitoring results shall be reported using the same number of significant digits as listed in the permit. Regardless of the rounding convention used by the permittee (e.g., five always rounding up or to the nearest even number), the permittee shall use the convention consistently and shall ensure that consulting laboratories employed by the permittee use the same convention.
8. 8. The discharges authorized by this permit shall be controlled as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards.
9. 9. Approval for coverage under this general permit does not relieve any owner of the responsibility to comply with any other federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.
10. 10. Discharges to waters with an approved TMDL. Owners of facilities that are a source of the specified pollutant of concern to waters where an approved TMDL has been established shall implement measures and controls that are consistent with the assumptions and requirements of the TMDL.
11. 11. Termination of coverage. Provided that the department agrees that the discharge covered under this general permit is no longer needed, the permittee may request termination of coverage under the general permit, for the entire facility or for specific outfalls, by submitting a request for termination of coverage. This request for termination of coverage shall be sent to the department's regional office with appropriate documentation or references to documentation already in the department's possession. Upon the permittee's receipt of the regional director's approval, coverage under this general permit will be terminated. Termination of coverage under this general permit does not relieve the permittee of responsibilities under other board regulations or department directives.
12. 12. The permittee shall notify the department as soon as the permittee knows or has reason to believe:
  1. a. That any activity has occurred or will occur that would result in the discharge, on a routine or frequent basis, of any toxic pollutant that is not limited in this permit if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
    1. (1) One hundred micrograms per liter;
    2. (2) Two hundred micrograms per liter for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter for 2,4-dinitrophenol and for 2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter for antimony;
    3. (3) Five times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the general permit registration statement; or
    4. (4) The level established by the board.
  2. b. That any activity has occurred or will occur that would result in any discharge, on a nonroutine or infrequent basis, of a toxic pollutant that is not limited in this permit if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
    1. (1) Five hundred micrograms per liter;
    2. (2) One milligram per liter for antimony;
    3. (3) Ten times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the general permit registration statement; or
    4. (4) The level established by the board.
      Part II
      Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits
A. Monitoring.
1. 1. Samples and measurements taken as required by this permit shall be representative of the monitored activity.
2. 2. Monitoring shall be conducted according to procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or alternative methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, unless other procedures have been specified in this permit.
3. 3. The permittee shall periodically calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring and analytical instrumentation at intervals that will ensure accuracy of measurements.
4. 4. Samples taken as required by this permit shall be analyzed in accordance with 1VAC30-45, Certification for Noncommercial Environmental Laboratories, or 1VAC30-46, Accreditation for Commercial Environmental Laboratories.
B. Records.
1. 1. Records of monitoring information shall include:
  1. a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
  2. b. The individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;
  3. c. The dates and times analyses were performed;
  4. d. The individual who performed the analyses;
  5. e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
  6. f. The results of such analyses.
2. 2. Except for records of monitoring information required by this permit related to the permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years, the permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation; copies of all reports required by this permit; and records of all data used to complete the registration statement for this permit for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or request for coverage. This period of retention shall be extended automatically during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding the regulated activity or regarding control standards applicable to the permittee, or as requested by the department.
C. Reporting monitoring results.
1. 1. The permittee shall submit the results of the monitoring required by this permit not later than the 10th day of the month after monitoring takes place unless another reporting schedule is specified elsewhere in this permit. Monitoring results shall be submitted to the department's regional office.
2. 2. Monitoring results shall be reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) or on forms provided, approved or specified by the department. Following notification from the department of the start date for the required electronic submission of monitoring reports, as provided for in 9VAC25-31-1020, such forms and reports submitted after that date shall be electronically submitted to the department in compliance with this section and 9VAC25-31-1020. There shall be at least a three-month notice provided between the notification from the department and the date after which such forms and reports must be submitted electronically.
3. 3. If the permittee monitors any pollutant specifically addressed by this permit more frequently than required by this permit using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or using other test procedures approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or using procedures specified in this permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR or reporting form specified by the department.
4. 4. Calculations for all limitations that require averaging of measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in this permit.
D. Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information which the department may request to determine whether cause exists for terminating this permit or to determine compliance with this permit. The department may require the permittee to furnish, upon request, such plans, specifications, and other pertinent information as may be necessary to determine the effect of the wastes from the permittee's discharge on the quality of state waters or such other information as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the State Water Control Law. The permittee shall also furnish to the department upon request copies of records required to be kept by this permit.
E. Compliance schedule reports. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date.
F. Unauthorized discharges. Except in compliance with this permit or another permit issued by the department or general permit adopted by the board, it shall be unlawful for any person to:
1. 1. Discharge into state waters sewage, industrial wastes, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substances; or
2. 2. Otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of such state waters and make them detrimental to the public health, to animal or aquatic life, to the use of such waters for domestic or industrial consumption, for recreation, or for other uses.
G. Reports of unauthorized discharges. Any permittee that discharges or causes or allows a discharge of sewage, industrial waste, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substance into or upon state waters in violation of Part II F or that discharges or causes or allows a discharge that may reasonably be expected to enter state waters in violation of Part II F shall notify the department of the discharge immediately (see Part II I 3) upon discovery of the discharge, but in no case later than 24 hours after the discovery. A written report of the unauthorized discharge shall be submitted to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge. The written report shall contain:
1. 1. A description of the nature and location of the discharge;
2. 2. The cause of the discharge;
3. 3. The date on which the discharge occurred;
4. 4. The length of time that the discharge continued;
5. 5. The volume of the discharge;
6. 6. If the discharge is continuing, how long it is expected to continue;
7. 7. If the discharge is continuing, what the expected total volume of the discharge will be; and
8. 8. Any steps planned or taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent a recurrence of the present discharge or any future discharges not authorized by this permit.
  Discharges reportable to the department under the immediate reporting requirements of other regulations are exempted from this requirement.
H. Reports of unusual or extraordinary discharges. If any unusual or extraordinary discharge including a bypass or upset should occur from a treatment works and the discharge enters or could be expected to enter state waters, the permittee shall promptly notify (see Part II I 3) the department after the discovery of the discharge. This notification shall provide all available details of the incident, including any adverse effects on aquatic life and the known number of fish killed. The permittee shall reduce the report to writing and shall submit the report to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge in accordance with Part II I 1 b. Unusual and extraordinary discharges include any discharge resulting from:
1. 1. Unusual spillage of materials resulting directly or indirectly from processing operations;
2. 2. Breakdown of processing or accessory equipment;
3. 3. Failure or taking out of service some or all of the treatment works; and
4. 4. Flooding or other acts of nature.
I. Reports of noncompliance.
1. 1. The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may adversely affect state waters or may endanger public health.
  1. a. An oral report shall be provided within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The following shall be included as information, which shall be reported within 24 hours under this subsection:
    1. (1) Any unanticipated bypass; and
    2. (2) Any upset which causes a discharge to surface waters.
  2. b. A written report shall be submitted within five days and shall contain:
    1. (1) A description of the noncompliance and its cause;
    2. (2) The period of noncompliance including exact dates and times and, if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
    3. (3) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
      The department may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis for reports of noncompliance under Part II I if the oral report has been received within 24 hours and no adverse impact on state waters has been reported.
2. 2. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Part II I 1, in writing, at the time the next monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in Part II I 1 b.
3. 3. The immediate (within 24 hours) reports required in Part II G, H and I shall be made to the department's regional office. Reports may be made by telephone or online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/land-waste/pollution-response (online reporting preferred). For reports outside normal working hours, the online portal shall be used. For emergencies, call the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's Emergency Operations Center (24-hours) at 804-750-8845.
4. 4. Where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit registration statement or submitted incorrect information in a permit registration statement or in any report to the department, it shall promptly submit such facts or information.
J. Notice of planned changes.
1. 1. The permittee shall give notice to the department as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when:
  1. a. The permittee plans an alteration or addition to any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which commenced:
    1. (1) After promulgation of standards of performance under § 306 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to such source; or
    2. (2) After proposal of standards of performance in accordance with § 306 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to such source, but only if the standards are promulgated in accordance with § 306 of the Act within 120 days of their proposal;
  2. b. The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants that are subject neither to effluent limitations nor to notification requirements under Part I B 12; or
  3. c. The alteration or addition results in a significant change in the permittee's sludge use or disposal practices, and such alteration, addition, or change may justify the application of permit conditions that are different from or absent in the existing permit, including notification of additional use or disposal sites not reported during the permit registration process or not reported pursuant to an approved land application plan.
2. 2. The permittee shall give advance notice to the department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.
K. Signatory requirements.
1. 1. Registration statement. All registration statements shall be signed as follows:
  1. a. For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this section, a responsible corporate officer means (i) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making or decision-making functions for the corporation or (ii) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities, provided the manager is authorized to make management decisions that govern the operation of the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiating and directing other comprehensive measures to assure long-term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for permit application requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures;
  2. b. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or
  3. c. For a municipality, state, federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a public agency includes (i) the chief executive officer of the agency or (ii) a senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency.
2. 2. Reports. All reports required by permits, and other information requested by the department shall be signed by a person described in Part II K 1, or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:
  1. a. The authorization is made in writing by a person described in Part II K 1;
  2. b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity such as the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, position of equivalent responsibility, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company. A duly authorized representative thus may be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position; and
  3. c. The written authorization is submitted to the department.
3. 3. Changes to authorization. If an authorization under Part II K 2 is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Part II K 2 shall be submitted to the department prior to or together with any reports or information to be signed by an authorized representative.
4. 4. Certification. Any person signing a document under Part II K 1 or 2 shall make the following certification:
  "I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
L. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions of this permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the State Water Control Law and the Clean Water Act, except that noncompliance with certain provisions of this permit may constitute a violation of the State Water Control Law but not the Clean Water Act. Permit noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action; for permit coverage termination or denial of permit coverage renewal.
The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under § 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants and with standards for sewage sludge use or disposal established under § 405(d) of the Clean Water Act within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions, even if this permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.
M. Duty to reapply. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration date of this permit, the permittee shall submit a new registration statement at least 60 days before the expiration date of the existing permit, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the department. The department shall not grant permission for registration statements to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.
N. Effect of a permit. This permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or invasion of personal rights, or any infringement of federal, state, or local law or regulations.
O. State law. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action under, or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any other state law or regulation or under authority preserved by § 510 of the Clean Water Act. Except as provided in permit conditions on "bypassing" (Part II U) and "upset" (Part II V), nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
P. Oil and hazardous substance liability. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee is or may be subject under Article 11 (§ 62.1-44.34:14 et seq.) of the State Water Control Law.
Q. Proper operation and maintenance. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance also includes effective plant performance, adequate funding, adequate staffing, and adequate laboratory and process controls, including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems that are installed by the permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit.
R. Disposal of solids or sludges. Solids, sludges, or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or management of pollutants shall be disposed of in a manner so as to prevent any pollutant from such materials from entering state waters.
S. Duty to mitigate. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of this permit that has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.
T. Need to halt or reduce activity not a defense. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.
U. Bypass.
1. 1. "Bypass" means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility. The permittee may allow any bypass to occur that does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of Part II U 2 and 3.
2. 2. Notice.
  1. a. Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, prior notice shall be submitted, if possible, at least 10 days before the date of the bypass.
  2. b. Unanticipated bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as required in Part II I.
3. 3. Prohibition of bypass.
  1. a. Bypass is prohibited, and the department may take enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, unless:
    1. (1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
    2. (2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass that occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance; and
    3. (3) The permittee submitted notices as required under Part II U 2.
  2. b. The department may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects, if the department determines that it will meet the three conditions listed in Part II U 3 a.
V. Upset.
1. 1. An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with technology-based permit effluent limitations if the requirements of Part II V 2 are met. A determination made during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused by upset and before an action for noncompliance is not a final administrative action subject to judicial review.
2. 2. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs or other relevant evidence that:
  1. a. An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause or causes of the upset;
  2. b. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;
  3. c. The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Part II I; and
  4. d. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Part II S.
3. 3. In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.
W. Inspection and entry. The permittee shall allow the director or an authorized representative, including an authorized contractor acting as a representative of the administrator, upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to:
1. 1. Enter upon the permittee's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted or where records must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
2. 2. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
3. 3. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and
4. 4. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of ensuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law any substances or parameters at any location.
  For purposes of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours or whenever the facility is discharging. Nothing contained in this general permit shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency.
X. Permit actions. Permit coverage may be terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for permit coverage termination or a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.
Y. Transfer of permit coverage.
1. 1. Permit coverage is not transferable to any person except after notice to the department.
2. 2. Coverage under this permit may be automatically transferred to a new permittee if:
  1. a. The current permittee notifies the department within 30 days of the transfer of the title to the facility or property;
  2. b. The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittees containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them; and
  3. c. The department does not notify the existing permittee and the proposed new permittee of its intent to deny permit coverage. If this notice is not received, the transfer is effective on the date specified in the agreement mentioned in Part II Y 2 b.
Z. Severability. The provisions of this permit are severable, and if any provision of this permit or the application of any provision of this permit to any circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder of this permit, shall not be affected thereby.

Any owner whose registration statement is accepted by the department, or that is automatically authorized to discharge under this permit, shall comply with the requirements of the general permit and be subject to all requirements of 9VAC25-31-170 B of the VPDES Permit Regulation. Not all of Part I A of the general permit will apply to every permittee. The determination of which provisions apply will be based on the type of contamination at the individual site and the nature of the waters receiving the discharge. Part I B and all of Part II apply to all permittees.

General Permit No.: VAG83
Effective Date: March 1, 2023
Expiration Date: February 29, 2028

VPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES FROM GROUNDWATER REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES, DEWATERING ACTIVITIES OF CONTAMINATED SITES, AND HYDROSTATIC TESTS

AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE VIRGINIA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT PROGRAM AND THE VIRGINIA STATE WATER CONTROL LAW

In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended, the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the owner is authorized to discharge to surface waters within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except to designated public water supplies or waters specifically named in other board regulations which prohibit such discharges.

The authorized discharge shall be in accordance with the information submitted with the registration statement, this cover page, Part I - Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements, and Part II - Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits, as set forth in this general permit.

If there is any conflict between the requirements of a department approved cleanup plan and this permit, the requirements of this permit shall govern.

Part I

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; § 402 of the Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, and 124.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-14-11 § 8, eff. February 24, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 9, eff. February 24, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. February 26, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 9, eff. February 6, 2008; Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 11, 2008; Volume 29, Issue 4, eff. February 26, 2013; Volume 34, Issue 10, eff. February 26, 2018; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. March 1, 2023; Volume 40, Issue 4, eff. October 9, 2023; Volume 40, Issue 9, eff. December 18, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 6, eff. November 3, 2025; Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 12, 2026.