Types of Discharge Permits Issued by the BWPC

General Information. The Bureau of Water Pollution Control (BWPC), pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 445A.345, is responsible for protecting the quality of the waters of the state from any adverse effects resulting from a discharge that may contain a pollutant or pollutants. NRS 445A.415 defines "Waters of the State" as "all waters situated wholly, or partly within, or bordering upon Nevada, including: all streams, lakes, ponds, impounding reservoirs, marshes, water courses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation and drainage systems, all bodies or accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural or artificial."

To maintain the quality of Nevada's waters, BWPC issues discharge permits; reviews and approves technical designs, including those for wastewater treatment plants and subdivision sewer collection and water supply systems; conducts compliance inspections of permitted facilities; enforces permit requirements and laws which prohibit unauthorized discharges. BWPC works closely with the Bureau of Water Quality Planning (BWQP) to ensure that the requirements to maintain existing higher water quality standards set by BWQP for surface waters are maintained. Certain projects need to be coordinated with other bureaus and divisions to ensure that any discharge to either surface water or groundwater by another bureau's clients are correctly implemented. These projects include drilling activities and wells to recharge an aquifer or to store or recover waters, all which are regulated by the Division of Water Resources.

NEV Permits. It is BWPC's view that all groundwater has the potential to become drinking water. For that reason, BWPC is in charge of the state program that protects groundwater quality by issuing groundwater discharge permits (NEV Permits) for discharges that will infiltrate into the ground. These discharges include treated effluent surface disposal; individual or commercial sewage disposal systems; unlined ponds; and the reuse of treated effluent for irrigation. BWPC also issues "zero discharge permits" where the potential for a discharge exists, but will most likely never occur (e.g. lined ponds and tanks). Proposed projects are evaluated to ensure that the background water quality is not degraded or that drinking water quality standards are not exceeded.

NV/NPDES Permits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delegated responsibility to the State of Nevada to implement the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program authorized by the Clean Water Act. Based upon this authority, BWPC is the state agency that issues surface water discharge permits (NV Permits or NPDES Permits). NPDES Permits regulate discharges to "waters of the United States" including lakes, streams and dry washes. The NPDES Program also issue permits for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) that authorize discharges of stormwater. All NPDES Permits are sent to EPA - Region IX for review and approval before they are issued to the Nevada Permittee.

General Permits. A General Permit is an umbrella permit for a specific, defined type of discharge. Examples of General Permits are the construction stormwater permit, the industrial stormwater permit, the small MS4 permit and the temporary dewatering permit. The conditions for the permit and the monitoring required are the same or similar for all entities under the permit. Entities desiring coverage under one of these General Permits are required to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) and pay a filing fee prior to receiving coverage. Coverage under a General Permit may be revoked and the Permittee may be required to obtain an individual discharge permit.

UIC Permits. The Underground Injection Well Program was founded as part of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and EPA has granted Nevada responsibility to administer the program. Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permits are commonly issued for dewatering and remediation projects that authorize Permittees to discharge into wells (defined as a conveyance that is deeper than it is wide).

Wastewater Operator Certification. Certification is required for all wastewater treatment operators. BWPC oversees the certification program which has been contracted to the Nevada Water Pollution Control Association (NWPCA). BWPC sends out certification applications and processes the completed applications and the associated fees. While NWPCA conducts training and administers the certification testing of the wastewater treatment operators, the actual certification is issued by BWPC.