9VAC25-151-50: Authorization to discharge

A. To be eligible to discharge under this permit, an owner must (i) have a stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity from the facility's primary industrial activity, as defined in 9VAC25-151-10 (Definitions), provided the primary industrial activity is included in Table 50-2 of this section; or (ii) be notified that discharges from the facility have been designated by the department for permitting under the provisions of 9VAC25-31-120 A 1 c or under 9VAC25-31-120 A 7 a (1) or (2) of the VPDES Permit Regulation and are eligible for coverage under Sector AD of this permit.

Any owner governed by this general permit is hereby authorized to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity, as defined in this chapter, to surface waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia provided that:

1. The owner submits a registration statement in accordance with 9VAC25-151-60, and that registration statement is accepted by the department;

2. The owner submits the required permit fee;

3. The owner complies with the applicable requirements of 9VAC25-151-70 et seq.; and

4. The department has not notified the owner that the discharge is ineligible for coverage in accordance with subsection B of this section.

B. The department will notify an owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this general permit in the event of any of the following:

1. The owner is required to obtain an individual permit in accordance with 9VAC25-31-170 B 3 of the VPDES Permit Regulation;

2. The owner is proposing to discharge to state waters specifically named in other board regulations that prohibit such discharges;

3. The discharge violates or would violate the antidegradation policy in the Water Quality Standards at 9VAC25-260-30; or

4. The discharge is not consistent with the assumptions and requirements of an approved TMDL. Virginia's Phase I Chesapeake Bay TMDL Watershed Implementation Plan (November 29, 2010) states that wasteloads for future growth for new facilities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed with industrial stormwater discharges cannot exceed the nutrient and sediment loadings that were discharged before the land being developed for the new industrial activity. For purposes of this permit regulation, facilities that begin construction after June 30, 2024, must be consistent with this requirement to be eligible for coverage under this general permit.

C. Additional conditions.

1. Facilities with colocated industrial activities on-site shall comply with all applicable effluent limitations, monitoring, and SWPPP requirements of each section of 9VAC25-151-70 et seq. in which a colocated industrial activity is described.

2. Stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity that are mixed with other discharges ( i.e., stormwater and nonstormwater) requiring a VPDES permit are authorized by this permit, provided that the owner obtains coverage under this VPDES general permit for the industrial activity discharges and a VPDES general or individual permit for the other discharges. The owner shall comply with the terms and requirements of each permit that authorizes any component of the discharge.

3. The stormwater discharges authorized by this permit may be combined with other sources of stormwater that are not required to be covered under a VPDES permit, so long as the combined discharge is in compliance with this permit.

4. Authorized nonstormwater discharges. The following "nonstormwater" discharges are authorized by this permit:

a. Discharges from emergency firefighting activities or firefighting training activities managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact in accordance with § 9.1-207.1 of the Code of Virginia;

b. Fire hydrant flushing, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;

c. Potable water, including water line flushing, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;

d. Uncontaminated condensate from air conditioners, coolers, and other compressors and from the outside storage of refrigerated gases or liquids;

e. Irrigation drainage;

f. Landscape watering provided all pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have been applied in accordance with the approved labeling;

g. Pavement washwaters, provided no soaps, solvents, detergents or hazardous cleaning products are used, no spills or leaks of toxic or hazardous materials have occurred (unless all spilled or leaked material is removed prior to washing), and the washwater is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;

h. Routine external building washdown, provided no soaps, solvents, or detergents are used, external building surfaces do not contain hazardous substances, and the washwater is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;

i. Uncontaminated groundwater or spring water;

j. Foundation or footing drains where flows are not contaminated with process materials; and

k. Incidental windblown mist from cooling towers that collects on rooftops or adjacent portions of the facility, but not intentional discharges from the cooling tower (e.g., "piped" cooling tower blowdown or drains).

5. Stormwater discharges associated with construction activity that are regulated under a VPDES permit are not authorized by this permit.

6. Discharges subject to stormwater effluent limitation guidelines under 40 CFR Subchapter N (Effluent Guidelines and Standards) are only eligible for coverage under this permit if they are identified in Table 50-1 of this subsection.

TABLE 50 - 1

STORMWATER-SPECIFIC EFFLUENT LIMITATION GUIDELINES.

Effluent Limitation Guideline

Sectors with Affected Facilities

Runoff from material storage piles at cement manufacturing facilities (40 CFR Part 411 Subpart C (established February 20, 1974))

E

Contaminated runoff from phosphate fertilizer manufacturing facilities (40 CFR Part 418 Subpart A (established April 8, 1974))

C

Coal pile runoff at steam electric generating facilities (40 CFR Part 423 (established November 19, 1982))

O

Discharges resulting from spray down or intentional wetting of logs at wet deck storage areas (40 CFR Part 429 Subpart I (established January 26, 1981))

A

Runoff from asphalt emulsion facilities (40 CFR Part 443 Subpart A (established July 24, 1975))

D

Runoff from landfills (40 CFR Part 445 Subparts A and B (established January 19, 2000))

K and L

Discharges from airport deicing operations (40 CFR Part 449 (established May 16, 2012))

Facilities subject to the effluent limitation guidelines in 40 CFR Part 449 may be covered under Sector AD.

7. Permit eligibility is limited to discharges from facilities in the "sectors" of industrial activity summarized in Table 50-2 of this subsection. These sector descriptions are based on Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes and Industrial Activity Codes. References to "sectors" in this permit refer to these groupings.

TABLE 50 - 2

SECTORS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY COVERED BY THIS PERMIT

SIC Code or Activity Code

Activity Represented

Sector A: Timber Products

2411

Log Storage and Handling (wet deck storage areas are only authorized if no chemical additives are used in the spray water or applied to the logs).

2421

General Sawmills and Planing Mills.

2426

Hardwood Dimension and Flooring Mills.

2429

Special Product Sawmills, Not Elsewhere Classified.

2431-2439 (except 2434 - see Sector W)

Millwork, Veneer, Plywood, and Structural Wood.

2441, 2448, 2449

Wood Containers.

2451, 2452

Wood Buildings and Mobile Homes.

2491

Wood Preserving.

2493

Reconstituted Wood Products.

2499

Wood Products, Not Elsewhere Classified (includes SIC Code 24991303 - Wood, Mulch and Bark facilities).

Sector B: Paper and Allied Products

2631

Paperboard Mills.

Sector C: Chemical and Allied Products

2812-2819

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals.

2821-2824

Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, Synthetic Rubber, Cellulosic and Other Synthetic Fibers, except Glass.

2841-2844

Soaps, Detergents, and Cleaning Preparations; Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations.

2873-2879

Agricultural Chemicals (includes SIC Code 2875 - Composting Facilities).

Sector D: Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials and Lubricants

2951, 2952

Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials.

2992, 2999

Miscellaneous Products of Petroleum and Coal.

Sector E: Glass Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Products

3251-3259

Structural Clay Products.

3261-3269

Pottery and Related Products.

3274, 3275

Concrete, Gypsum and Plaster Products, Except: Concrete Block and Brick; Concrete Products, except Block and Brick; and Ready-Mixed Concrete Facilities (SIC Codes 3271-3273).

Sector F: Primary Metals

3312-3317

Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling and Finishing Mills.

3321-3325

Iron and Steel Foundries.

3351-3357

Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding of Nonferrous Metals.

3363-3369

Nonferrous Foundries (Castings).

Sector G: Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing)

1011

Iron Ores.

1021

Copper Ores.

1031

Lead and Zinc Ores.

1041, 1044

Gold and Silver Ores.

1061

Ferroalloy Ores, except Vanadium.

1081

Metal Mining Services.

1094, 1099

Miscellaneous Metal Ores.

Sector H: Coal Mines and Coal Mining Related Facilities

1221-1241

Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities.

Sector J: Mineral Mining and Dressing Facilities (SIC Codes 1411-1499 are not authorized under this permit)

Sector K: Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal Facilities

HZ

Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage or Disposal.

Sector L: Landfills and Land Application Sites

LF

Landfills, Land Application Sites, and Open Dumps.

Sector M: Automobile Salvage Yards

5015

Automobile Salvage Yards.

Sector N: Scrap Recycling Facilities

5093

Scrap Recycling Facilities.

4499 (limited to list)

Dismantling Ships, Marine Salvaging, and Marine Wrecking - Ships for Scrap.

Sector O: Steam Electric Generating Facilities

SE

Steam Electric Generating Facilities.

Sector Q: Water Transportation and Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards

4412-4499 (except 4499 facilities as specified in Sector N)

Water Transportation.

3731, 3732

Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards.

Sector U: Food and Kindred Products

2021-2026

Dairy Products.

2041-2048

Grain Mill Products.

2074-2079

Fats and Oils.

Sector Y: Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries

3011

Tires and Inner Tubes.

3021

Rubber and Plastics Footwear.

3052, 3053

Gaskets, Packing, and Sealing Devices and Rubber and Plastics Hose and Belting.

3061, 3069

Fabricated Rubber Products, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Sector AA: Fabricated Metal Products

3411-3471, 3482-3499

Fabricated Metal Products, except Machinery and Transportation Equipment.

3479

Fabricated Metal Coating and Engraving.

3911-3915

Jewelry, Silverware, and Plated Ware.

Sector AB: Industrial or Commercial Machinery

3511-3599 (except 3571-3579 )

Industrial and Commercial Machinery (except Computer and Office Equipment).

Sector AD: Nonclassified Facilities/Stormwater Discharges Designated by the Department as Requiring Permits

N/A

Stormwater Discharges Designated by the Department for Permitting under the Provisions of 9VAC25-31-120 A 1, or under 9VAC25-31-120 A 7 a (1) or (2) of the VPDES Permit Regulation.

Facilities may not elect to be covered under Sector AD. Only the department may assign a facility to Sector AD.

Sector AE: Facilities with No Analytical Benchmark Monitoring Requirements

2611

Pulp Mills.

2621

Paper Mills.

2652-2657

Paperboard Containers and Boxes.

2671-2679

Converted Paper and Paperboard Products, except Containers and Boxes.

2833-2836

Medicinal Chemicals and Botanical Products; Pharmaceutical Preparations; In Vitro and In Vivo Diagnostic Substances; Biological Products, except Diagnostic Substances.

2851

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products.

2861-2869

Industrial Organic Chemicals.

2891-2899

Miscellaneous Chemical Products.

3952 (limited to list)

Inks and Paints, Including China Painting Enamels, India Ink, Drawing Ink, Platinum Paints for Burnt Wood or Leather Work, Paints for China Painting, Artist's paints, and Artist's Watercolors.

3211

Flat Glass.

3221, 3229

Glass and Glassware, Pressed or Blown.

3231

Glass Products Made of Purchased Glass.

3241

Hydraulic Cement.

3281

Cut Stone and Stone Products.

3291-3299

Abrasive, Asbestos, and Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

3331-3339

Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metals.

3398, 3399

Miscellaneous Primary Metal Products.

3341

Secondary Smelting and refining of Nonferrous Metals.

1311

Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas.

1321

Natural Gas Liquids.

1381-1389

Oil and Gas Field Services.

2911

Petroleum Refineries.

4512-4581

Air Transportation Facilities.

TW

Treatment Works.

2011-2015

Meat Products.

2032-2038

Canned, Frozen, and Preserved Fruits, Vegetables, and Food Specialties.

2051-2053

Bakery Products.

2061-2068

Sugar and Confectionary Products.

2082-2087

Beverages.

2091-2099

Miscellaneous Food Preparations Kindred Products.

2111-2141

Tobacco Products.

2211-2299

Textile Mill Products.

2311-2399

Apparel and Other Finished Products Made from Fabrics and Similar Materials.

3131-3199

Leather and Leather Products, except Leather Tanning and Finishing.

2434

Wood Kitchen Cabinets.

2511-2599

Furniture and Fixtures.

2711-2796

Printing, Publishing, and Allied Products.

3081-3089

Miscellaneous Plastics Products.

3931

Musical Instruments.

3942-3949

Dolls, Toys, Games, and Sporting and Athletic Goods.

3951-3955 (except 3952)

Pens, Pencils, and Other Artist's Materials.

3961, 3965

Costume Jewelry, Costume Novelties, Buttons, and Miscellaneous Notions, except Precious Metal.

3991-3999

Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries.

3111

Leather Tanning, Currying, and Finishing.

3711-3799 (except 3731, 3732 – see Sector Q)

Transportation Equipment, except Ship and Boat Building and Repairing.

3571-3579

Computer and Office Equipment.

3612-3699

Electronic and Other Electrical Equipment and Components, except Computer Equipment.

3812-3873

Measuring, Analyzing, and Controlling Instruments; Photographic, Medical, and Optical Goods; Watches and Clocks.

Sector AF: Facilities Limited to Total Suspended Solids Benchmark Monitoring Requirements

4011, 4013

Railroad Transportation.

4111-4173

Local and Highway Passenger Transportation.

4212-4231

Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing.

4311

United State Postal Service.

5171

Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals.

D. Conditional exclusion for no exposure. Any owner covered by this permit who becomes eligible for a no exposure exclusion from permitting under 9VAC25-31-120 E may file a no exposure certification. On submission and acceptance by the department of a complete and accurate no exposure certification, the permit requirements no longer apply, and the owner is not required to submit a notice of termination. A no exposure certification must be submitted to the department once every five years.

E. Compliance with this general permit constitutes compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law, with the exceptions stated in 9VAC25-31-60 of the VPDES Permit Regulation. Approval for coverage under this general permit does not relieve any owner of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.

F. Continuation of permit coverage.

1. Permit coverage shall expire at the end of its term. However, expiring permit coverages are automatically continued if the owner has submitted a complete registration statement at least 60 days before the expiration date of the permit or a later submittal date established by the department, which cannot extend beyond the expiration date of the original permit. The permittee is authorized to continue to discharge until the department either:

a. Issues coverage to the owner under this general permit; or

b. Notifies the owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this general permit.

2. When the owner that was covered under the expiring or expired general permit has violated or is violating the conditions of that permit, the department may choose to do any or all of the following:

a. Initiate enforcement action based on the general permit coverage that has been continued;

b. Issue a notice of intent to deny coverage under the amended general permit. If the general permit coverage is denied, the owner would then be required to cease the discharges authorized by the continued general permit coverage or be subject to enforcement action for discharging without a permit;

c. Issue an individual permit with appropriate conditions; or

d. Take other actions authorized by the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31).