Wastewater Permits Program
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MDE’s Wastewater Pollution Prevention and Reclamation Program (WWPPRP), within the Water and Science Administration, issues permits to protect Maryland’s water resources by controlling industrial and municipal wastewater discharges. Surface water discharges are regulated through combined State and federal permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Groundwater discharges are regulated through State-issued groundwater discharge permits. Also related to the protection of groundwater is the WWPPRP coordination with all local health departments for the regulation of individual wells and septic systems.
Municipal
The Department provides information helpful to operators that discharge from municipal wastewater treatment facilities to surface and/or groundwater.
Industrial
The Department also issues permits to industrial facilities that discharge to surface and/or groundwater. This includes industrial, commercial or institutional facilities that discharge wastewater (or stormwater associated with industrial activities) to surface waters of Maryland.
On-Site Systems
Regulation of individual well and septic systems in conjunction with local health departments.
Wastewater Permits Interactive Search Portal
The Wastewater Permits Program maintains an interactive search portal which allows the general public to search for permits by facility name, location, permit number, and/or permit type. Once the desired permit entry is located, users have the opportunity to click the "More Info" button to display a list of available documents for download including permit applications, final permits and fact sheets, draft permits up for public comment, and general permit registration letters. You can also find authorizations under the construction stormwater with the permits search.
Permits of Significant Public Interest
In an effort to promote transparency and make information easily accessible to the public, the Department maintains a webpage with information about ongoing permitting actions for permits for which the public has shown significant interest. If you are looking for information regarding any permit not listed on this webpage, you are encouraged to visit the Wastewater Permits Interactive Search Portal linked above.
Electronic Reporting Rule
Per 40 CFR 127.16, all National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulated entities must submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) electronically via NetDMR, which are available to the public through ECHO. More details are found on our website.
Additional Information and Related Links
