NPDES Permitting

When, How, and Where to Apply for a Permit

New Dischargers
Renewals
Modifications

When to Apply

Applications for new point source discharges must be submitted to the Bureau at least 180 days prior to the anticipated date of discharge. Applications for renewal of an NPDES permit must be made at least 180 days prior the expiration date of the permit. For more information on permit renewals, please visit our NPDES WEB page on Permit Renewal Information.

How to Apply

New Dischargers. New dischargers must use the following NPDES Permit applications and forms when applying for an NPDES permit. To view the permits, visit our forms page.

Type of Facility	Application Form	Form 1	Location Supplement	Sludge Supplement	Antidegradation Supplement	Mixing Zone Supplement
Industries with process wastewater	Form 2D	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	*
Industries without process wastewater	Form 2E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	*
Municipal Facilities	Form 2A& Form 2S	Yes	Yes	Yes.	Yes	*
Private Systems	Short Form D	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes	*
Aquaculture Operations	State Form 2B	N/A	Yes	N/A	Yes	*
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations	Form 2B	Yes	N/A	N/A	Yes	N/A

* If an applicant is applying for a mixing zone under SC Regulation 61-69, Water Classifications and Standards, the Mixing Zone Supplement must be included with the application package.

If the proposed discharge is from a new wastewater treatment facility, the application package must include a preliminary engineering report prepared in accordance with SC Regulation 61-67, Standards for Wastewater Facility Construction. Other information, such as a report on "Sludge Disposal," must also be included. For more information on the wastewater construction permit process for new wastewater treatment facilities, please visit our WEB page on the Wastewater Construction Permit Program.

For a proposed discharge that does not involve a wastewater treatment facility, a preliminary engineering report does not have to be submitted. Rather, a brief report or letter explaining the proposed permit must be included in the application package.

There are no application fees for NPDES permits but there are annual operating fees for issued permits. The first year's annual operating fee must be paid before an NPDES permit for a new discharge can be issued. While the first year's annual operating fee does not have to be submitted with the application, the Bureau recommends that the fee be included in the application package. If the permit is denied or the application is withdrawn before a permit decision is made, the Bureau will refund the fee. If the annual fee is not included in the application package, the Bureau will request the fee when the public notice on intent to issue the permit is published. The permit will not be issued until the first year's annual fee is paid. For more information on fees, please visit our NPDES WEB page on Fees.

Renewals. Dischargers applying for reissuance of individual NPDES permits (non stormwater) must use the following NPDES Permit applications and forms. To view the permits, visit our forms page.

Type of Facility	Application Form	Form 1	Location Supplement	Sludge Supplement	Mixing Zone Supplement
Industries with process wastewater	Form 2C	Yes	Yes	Yes	*
Industries without process wastewater	Form 2E	Yes	Yes	Yes	*
Municipal Facilities	Form2A & Form 2S	Yes	Yes	Yes	*
Private Systems	Short Form D	N/A	Yes	Yes	*
Aquaculture Operations	State Form 2B	N/A	Yes	N/A	*
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations	Form 2B	Yes	Yes	N/A	N/A

* If an applicant has an existing mixing zone or is applying for a mixing zone under SC Regulation 61-69, Water Classifications and Standards, the Mixing Zone Supplement must be included with the application package.

There are no fees when reapplying for an NPDES permit. However, if there are any unpaid fees (a delinquent account) owed to the Bureau in any environmental program, the reissuance of the NPDES permit may be denied.

Modifications. Requests for modifications must be made in writing. Depending upon the nature of the requested modification, an application and the applicable supplements may be required. For instance, if a modification request is for a wastewater treatment facility expansion, an application must be included. Other modification requests, such as deletion of an outfall, reduction in monitoring frequency, change in operator requirements, etc. do not require an application, but they should be explained and justified, when necessary, in the modification request.

There are no fees for a modification to an NPDES permit. However, a permit modification may change the annual fee for the next billing period (July 1 through June 30). If there are any unpaid fees (a delinquent account) owed to the Department in any environmental program, the NPDES permit modification may be denied and the existing permit revoked.

Where to Apply

The NPDES permit application package must be submitted to the following:

NPDES Permit Administration Section
SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us