Permits are required to build, erect, alter, replace, operate, use or maintain existing point sources of water pollution. The majority of our permits are for discharging treated wastewater from domestic and industrial facilities. We also issue permits for land application of wastes from domestic, industrial and agricultural facilities. Our permits usually specify requirements for regular wastewater sampling at the discharge points. In the case of land application, the permit specifies the methods by which wastes are handled and disposed. Permits also specify water quality standards for any discharges.

Most wastewater permits are written to be site-specific, issued to that one location to reflect the unique nature of the wastewater or the receiving water. These permits are normally effective for five years. As a permit nears its expiration, it is redrafted, modified if needed and made available for public review and comment for 30 days on the departments Water Public Notices webpage. After the public comment period ends, the department reviews the comments. The permit is then either issued with needed changes or modified and put on public notice again to resolve any concerns.

Master general permits, as opposed to site-specific permits, are issued to multiple locations where activities are similar enough to be covered by a single set of requirements. For wastewater discharges, these permits are identified by the prefix MO-G in the permit number. The conditions in master general permits are also made available for public review and comment for 30 days before being issued to applicants. General permits for airports, limestone and rock quarries, lubricant manufacturing and petroleum storage greater than 50,000 gallons are required to be made available for public review and comment before issuance to a new facility. After finalization, a general permit cannot be modified. All facilities receiving a general permit must follow the conditions contained in that general permit until it expires or until the facility obtains a site-specific permit.

Applications in Process

Information about permit applications in process is available in the departments' Missouri Clean Water Information Systems (MoCWIS) application. The Applications in Process Search provides a list of water pollution permit applications received by the department. An application is considered ‘In Process’ from the date it is received until it is closed. An application is closed when the permit is issued, the application is denied or the application is withdrawn by the applicant.

Master General Permits

Standard Conditions

These minimum conditions apply to all permits where incorporated by reference unless superseded by requirements specific in the permit.

Standard Condition Part I

This document of standard conditions incorporate permit conditions as required by 40 CFR 122.41 or applicable state statues or regulations.  These minimum conditions include sampling, monitoring, and recording; reporting requirements; bypass and upset requirements; and administrative requirements.

Standard Condition Part II

This document of standard conditions notes conditions for publicly owned treatment works specific to industrial users, including definitions, identification of industrial discharges, application information and notice to the department.

Standard Condition Part III

This document of standard conditions outline specific requirements for biosolids and sludge from domestic treatment facilities. This part includes general requirements, definitions, mechanical wastewater treatment facilities, biosolids or sludge disposed at other treatment facility or by contract hauler, incineration of sludge, surface disposal sites and biosolids and sludge lagoons, land application of biosolids, septage, closure requirements, monitoring frequency and record-keeping and reporting requirements.

Permit Renewals

Permittees must submit a completed application for the renewal of a permit at least 180 days prior to expiration of a site-specific permit. The following forms must be included (may need more than one): Domestic wastewater systems are those listed as publicly owned treatment works (POTW), or discharge primarily kitchen and/or bathroom wastewater. Industrial facilities are those having industrial wastewater, including cooling water, and/or stormwater discharges for qualifying industries as found in 10 CSR 20-6.200. Domestic wastewater at industrial facilities is included under the industrial operating permit but additional forms may be required, see below

Completed forms should be submitted via e-mail to cleanwaterpermits@dnr.mo.gov. For questions, please contact your previous permit writer, the regional office, email cleanwaterpermits@dnr.mo.gov, or call the Operating Permits Section at (573) 522-4502.

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