NPDES General Permits
This information is provided by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to assist the public and regulated community.
Form #: 16-023a General Permit Revised: 2/2/23
SizeFile Name
366 KB 16-023-NPDES_General_Permits.pdf


If your facility is discharging or is proposing to discharge into waters of the state, you are required to have a permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), per Nebraska Title 119 – Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Title 119 NPDES permits also pertain to significant industrial users discharging to a publicly owned treatment works. General NPDES permits for concentrated animal feeding operations are covered separately under Nebraska Title 130 – Livestock Waste Control Regulations. The Department is responsible for developing and issuing NPDES permits and insuring permitted facilities comply with permit requirements.

The Department is responsible for developing and issuing NPDES permits and ensuring permitted facilities comply with permit requirements.

What is the benefit of a general permit versus a site-specific one?

Regulations require a site-specific NPDES permit application be submitted to NDEE at least 180 days prior to the date of first discharge. However, since NPDES general permits have already gone through the public review and comment process they can typically be authorized by the Department in 30 days or less.

Storm Water Permits during Construction

An NPDES Construction Storm Water General Permit – Notice of Intent (CSW-NOI) is needed if, during the construction of the project, over one acre of land is disturbed. Development of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that addresses erosion and sediment control must occur and be in place prior to an application submittal. The Department must receive the Notice of Intent at least seven days in advance of starting land grading and clearing activities. The NPDES Construction Storm Water permit application processis now done online, with instructions on how to register for an account available on the Department’s website. All pertinent application information is included in the online application process. Additional permit information can be obtained by calling (402) 471-8330.

Storm Water Permits during Operation

This general permit, also known as the Industrial Storm Water General Permit, or ISW-GP, is an industrial storm water permit that authorizes discharges of storm water associated with industrial activities to waters of the state, municipal separate storm sewer or combined sewer systems. Chapter 10 of Title 119 – Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System outlines the 11 categories of industrial activity to which this permit is applicable. If seeking coverage under this permit, you must submit an NPDES Industrial Storm Water Permit – Notice of Intent (ISW-NOI) to the Department at least thirty (30) days prior to starting up your operations/facility. Like the NPDES construction storm water permit, development of a SWPP addressing storm water runoff and exterior housekeeping is required prior to permit application submittal. The NPDES Industrial Storm Water permit and associated forms are available on the NDEE website. This permit is good until June 30, 2021. Further industrial storm water permit information can be obtained by calling (402) 471-4205.

Hydrostatic Testing Permits

NPDES permits are required for the discharge of hydrostatic testing fluids, which often originate from the testing of new and existing tanks and pipelines for leakage. The primary pollutant from such tests is suspended solids. Those seeking coverage under this permit must submit a Hydrostatic Testing Notice of Intent (HST-NOI). This general permit expires on December 31, 2021. Additional hydrostatic discharge information can be obtained by calling (402) 471-4209.

Dewatering Discharge Permits

The General NPDES Permit Authorizing Dewatering Discharges allows the discharge of water from construction excavation and dewatering wells into ground or surface waters of the state. Discharges of these types have a higher potential for containing suspended solids. Permit requirements include submission of a Discharge Watering Notice of Intent (DW-NOI). This general permit is good until December 31, 2021. Additional dewatering discharge information can be obtained by calling (402) 471-4209.

Remediation Dewatering Discharge Permits

An NPDES permit is required for the discharge of treated groundwater from remediation facilities. This activity can be authorized under an NPDES General Permit authorizing treated groundwater remediation discharges

All applicable application forms are attached to the permit document. Requirements include submission of a Notification of Intent and fuel contamination site/organic chemical contamination site monitoring requirements to ensure discharged water meets Nebraska’s water quality standards.

Pesticide General Permit

The NPDES Pesticides General Permit was signed October 20, 2016, and becomes effective November 1, 2016.

This NPDES general permit is issued in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. Secs. 1251 et. seq. as amended to date), the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. Secs. 81-1501 et. seq. as amended to date), and the Rules and Regulations promulgated pursuant to these Acts. Application may be made under this general permit for authorization to discharge pesticides and their residuals to, over, or near, waters of the State of Nebraska. Owners, operators, and applicators issued a discharge authorization under this general permit are required to comply with the limits, requirements, prohibitions, and conditions set forth herein. Authorization under this general permit does not relieve applicators or permittees of other duties and responsibilities under the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act, as amended, or established by regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Concrete Grooving and Grinding

This permit authorizes the land application of concrete grooving and grinding slurry generated from any public agency owning a concrete transportation right-of-way.

General Permits – Summary Table

Permit
Regulation
Authorization Timeframe
Expiration Date
NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit
Title 119
7 Calendar Days
October 1, 2016 -September 30, 2021
NPDES Industrial Storm Water Permit
Title 119
30 Calendar Days
July 1, 2016
June 30, 2021
NPDES Hydrostatic Permit
Title 119
10 Calendar Days
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2021
NPDES Dewatering Permit
Title 119
10 Calendar Days
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2021
NPDES Remediation Permit
Title 119
10 Calendar Days
October 1, 2018 September 30, 2023
NPDES Pesticide Permit
Title 119
10 Calendar Days
November 1, 2016 October 31, 2021
NPDES Grooving Grinding
Title 119
10 Calendar Days
October 1, 2016 September 30, 2021

RESOURCES:

Useful Websites:
Contacts:
  • NDEE Main Line - (402) 471-2186
  • NDEE Small Business and Public Assistance - (402) 471-8697


Produced by: Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922; phone (402) 471-8697. To view this, and other information related to our agency, visit our web site at http://DEE.ne.gov/. This material is intended for guidance purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for the regulations specified in the document, or any other applicable Nebraska environmental regulations.