Surface Water Discharge Permitting (NPDES) Policies & Guidance

Executive Summary of July 1, 2013 Report to the Massachusetts Legislature.

July 1, 2013 report to the Massachusetts Legislature on the feasibility of delegated authority from the US Environmental Protection Agency for NPDES programs in Massachusetts, per Chapter 139 of the Acts of 2012. August 2013.

How the antidegradation provisions of the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (314 CMR 4.00) are implemented.

A mixing zone is an area or volume of a waterbody in the immediate vicinity of a discharge where the initial dilution of the discharge occurs.

The purpose of this policy is to set the program's goals with regard to toxic pollutants, interpret the Water Quality Standards, and explain the use of biotoxicity tests in the permit process.

This document describes the process for issuing state surface water discharge permits as of June 20, 2020.

This policy describes the menu of options within the Surface Water Quality Standards to accommodate the range of situations in which CSOs are found.

This guidance assists permittees in assessing CSO impacts and developing control alternatives in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and the Massachusetts Water Quality Standards.

Policy on the utilization of blended sludge compost (compost mixed with sand, peat, or other materials).

Preventing contamination of drinking water from stored sludge and septage.

Clarifying the allowable use of wastewater-treatment sludge in horticultural operations.

Hydrogeological evaluations for proposed landfill sites define the geology of the site, groundwater flow paths and rates, design characteristics of the landfill liner, and the location of all proposed groundwater protection and monitoring systems.

Requirements for large publicly-owned treatment works seeking to contract out sludge reuse or disposal.

Allowing a single application for land application of sludge or septage to cover multiple sites under the same ownership.

Requirements for submitting a plan-approval application.

Parameters of a sampling and analysis plan for wastewater treatment sludge and septage.

Technical information required for plans and specifications for sludge compost facilities.

Requirements for back-up facilities for wastewater treatment plants that may not be able to dispose of sludge throughout their design life (20 years).

Procedures and certifications required for closing a residuals landfill.

Parameters for environmentally-safe design and operation of sludge landfills.

Due to the potential for molybdenum toxicity in ruminant animals, biosolids containing this element must carry a warning label. November 2016.

These guidelines provide a systematic approach for conducting sewer system evaluations.

This document provides answers to common questions regarding MassDEP's I/I regulatory requirements and the 2017 Guidelines. May 2017.

This presentation summarizes MassDEP's Infiltration and Inflow regulatory requirements and the 2017 Guidelines. May 2017.

This document summarizes MassDEP's Infiltration and Inflow regulatory requirements and the 2017 guidelines. May 2017.

Information for state agencies and collection system owners, managers, and operators to manage sewerage-collection systems for optimal performance and reduced overall long-term costs.

This document highlights areas of day-to-day operation and maintenance and long-term system planning that can be implemented, improved upon, or documented in order to optimize system performance, enhance program effectiveness, and reduce overall long-term costs.

Guidance for homeowners and local officials on authorizing emergency work in the event of a sudden or unforeseen emergency.

Best management practices for controlling erosion and sedimentation.

MassDEP guidelines for government agencies and private businesses to use in selecting, preparing and maintaining snow disposal sites.

This document is intended to provide a uniform method for demonstrating stormwater technologies and developing quality-assurance plans for certification or verification of performance claims.

Revised and updated in February 2008 in accordance with revisions to the Wetlands regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, and the Water Quality Regulations, 314 CMR 9.00, relating to stormwater.

A detailed explanation of the revisions made in 2008 to the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards, reflecting technological and scientific advancements since the Standards were first issued in 1996.

Standardized method to convert stormwater Water Quality Volume to Peak Flow Rate.

This guidance is intended to explain the types of water management planning reports towns and communities can use when approaching their particular wastewater, drinking water and stormwater issues.

A stormwater general permit is both a permit and a handbook for compliance. Each general permit has a fact sheet that summarizes the issues considered in drafting the permit. The fact sheet often helps the reader better understand the intent of the permit's provisions.