Regulations, Permits, and Reporting
What the exam expects
Regulatory questions test your familiarity with the Clean Water Act framework, NPDES permits, and reporting obligations. Know that the NPDES program regulates point-source discharges, that collection systems may be covered under a general permit, and that SSOs must be reported per permit and state rules.
Concepts to master
- Clean Water Act; NPDES permit basics; effluent limits and monitoring.
- Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) reporting: immediate notification, written follow-up, and recordkeeping.
- Bypass and upset provisions; affirmative defense requirements.
- Pretreatment program authority (see domain 8).
- Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) for fuels and oils.
- Recordkeeping retention and public notification.
Traps
A frequent trap is timing: how soon must an overflow be reported? Know your permit's specific requirement (often immediate oral notification with written follow-up). Another trap: assuming a permit limit can be exceeded if the cause was an upset - affirmative defense has strict conditions.
Worked example
An SSO reaches a storm drain that discharges to a creek. This is a reportable discharge to waters of the state; notify the regulatory agency immediately, document volume and duration, and follow up in writing per the permit.