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Home , May 13

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NPDES PERMIT WRITERS’ COURSE

Virtual Guided Learning 13 – 24, 2021

Course Description and Registration Information

The objective of this course is to provide the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The course was designed for permit writers with about six months to two years of experience in the NPDES program, but experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program also are welcome.

The 6-week course will begin on Thursday, May 13th. For each week, participants will have assigned “homework” consisting of NPDES online modules and permit exercises. These modules and exercises will then be discussed in a live virtual classroom setting on Thursday of each week. Participants will have the opportunity to join live office hour discussions with instructors and other participants each Tuesday. The course is scheduled to conclude on June 17th, however a “rain date” of June 24th should be reserved by the participants in case of technical issues.

Microsoft Teams will be utilized for the virtual classroom and can be accessed through the desktop application or a web browser. Course materials will be provided electronically on the Microsoft Teams classroom site for download by the participants prior to the start date. Participants should anticipate a time commitment of approximately 12 hours per week.

As a foundational course, the training does not address in detail specialized topics such as industrial and municipal stormwater, concentrated animal feeding operations, and vessel discharges. For more information on these specialized topics, please visit EPA’s NPDES Web site at www.epa.gov/npdes

A sample agenda for the course is provided below.

If you have questions regarding the course or need special accommodations, please contact Taylor Fontaine at: [email protected] or call him directly at (703) 956-1977.

Course Schedule and Logistics

EPA is announcing a PM offering for this session but may add an AM offering based upon demand. Please see the registration pages below for actual dates and time of the course. All times are in the Eastern Time Zone.

There is no cost for the course. Registration is limited and available at:

NPDES Permit Writers' Course - Guided Learning May 2021 PM

Registration does not guarantee you have a position in the course as there is limited space in each course. You will receive confirmation for a position in the course in a followup email with further instructions.

Sample Agenda

Date Date/Time (ET) Module Assignments Team Introductions, Verify Site • Report Difficulties Accessing Teams Site to Tues () Access, Download Files, Report Instructors Issues • Download Course Files Week Welcome 0 • Familiarize yourself with the Course Team Thurs (May 13) Course Introduction site and introduce yourself within your 1:00 – 4:30 PM Review Agenda working group Microsoft Teams Tutorial

Session 3: LIVE NPDES Permit Application Process (replaces the • Optional – Familiarize yourself with EPA Tues () online session 3) application forms: 1:00 – 3:15 PM 15 Minute Break https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes- Instructor ACU Application walk applications-and-forms-epa-applications Week through 1 • Session 1 • Session 2 Thurs () Instructor Review for Sessions 1-3 • Watch WWTP Video (optional): WEB 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Note: See table below for session details Tues () Exercise Review • NPDES Permit Writing Exercise – Part 1 Week 1:00 – 3:00 PM Office Hours • Submit Questions via Teams 2 Thurs () • Session 4 Instructor Review for Sessions 4-5 1:00 – 4:30 PM • Session 5 Tues () Exercise Review • NDPES Permit Writing Exercise – Part 2 1:00 – 3:00 PM Office Hours • Submit Questions via Teams Week • Session 6 3 Thurs () Instructor Review for Sessions 6-8 • Session 7 1:00 – 4:30 PM • Session 8 • NPDES Permit Writing Exercise – Part 3, Tues () Exercise Review Steps 1 - 3 1:00 – 3:00 PM Week Office Hours • Submit Questions via Teams 4 • Session 9 Thurs () Instructor Review for Sessions 9- • Session 10 1:00 – 4:30 PM 11 • Session 11 • NPDES Permit Writing Exercise – Part 3, Step Tues () Exercise Review 4 and Parts 4, 5, and 6 1:00 – 3:00 PM Office Hours • Submit Questions via Teams Week Instructor Review for Sessions 12 • Session 12 5 and 13 Thurs () • Session 13 1:00 – 4:30 PM 15 Minute Break Exercise Review • NPDES Permit Writing Exercise – Part 7 Final Permit Review Tues () Make Up Week (if necessary) • TBD 1:00 – 3:00 PM Week Make Up Week: Hold in the event 6 Thurs () a week of instruction must be • TBD 1:00 – 4:30 PM rescheduled

Notes: 1. Please view assigned online sessions prior to Thursday of each week. 2. Please complete the assigned exercises by Tuesday of each week. 3. During Week 1, Session 3 (Applications) will be provided LIVE on Tuesday. The online session does not reflect the 2019 NPDES Application and Program Updates Rule. You do not need to complete the online Session 3. 4. Office Hours are provided on Tuesday, following the weekly exercise review, to discuss course material for previous and current weeks, and to assist with exercise assignments. Office Hours are not a mandatory component of this course but are encouraged.

Session Details Session Estimated Time to Title Number Complete Session 1 Overview of the Clean Water Act and the NPDES Program 43 minutes

Session 2 Scope and Regulatory Framework of the NPDES Program 48 minutes

Session 3 LIVE LIVE

Session 4 Technology-based Effluent Limitations for POTWs 43 minutes

Session 5 Technology-based Effluent Limitations for Non-POTWs 66 minutes

Session 6 WQBELs Part I – Identifying the Applicable Water Quality Standards 51 minutes

Session 7 WQBELs Part II – Characterizing the Effluent and Receiving Water 44 minutes

Session 8 WQBELs Part III – Determining the Need for Chemical-Specific WQBELs 66 minutes

Session 9 WQBELs Part IV – Calculating Chemical-Specific WQBELs 55 minutes

Session 10 Monitoring and Reporting Requirements in NPDES Permits 45 minutes

Session 11 Special or Narrative Conditions in NPDES Permits 48 minutes

Session 12 Standard Conditions of NPDES Permits 37 minutes

Session 13 Administrative Process for NPDES Permits 51 minutes