Activities that require a NJPDES or TWA permit are identified at N.J.A.C. 7:14A-2.4 and N.J.A.C. 7:14A-22.3 , respectively. For additional information regarding activities that need a permit, please refer below.

For Stormwater Discharges please refer to the NJDEP’s stormwater website for stormwater management professionals and permittees. Find technical information, guidance materials, forms, and applications.

Surface Water Discharges

Regulated surface water discharge activity involves the discharging of sanitary or industrial wastewater directly into surface waters of the State (a river, stream, or the ocean).

• Will you be discharging sanitary or industrial wastewater to the surface waters of the State (i.e. ocean, river, stream, lake, etc.)?

If so, this activity requires a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permit.

Additional information:

• • NJPDES Surface Water Permitting Program
  • NJPDES Surface Water Permits, Applications Forms, and Checklists
  • For further information, contact the Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting

Important Note: New discharges or expansions of existing discharges also require a Water Quality Management Plan Amendment. To obtain further information regarding plan amendments, please contact the Water Quality Management Planning Program.

Ground Water Discharges

Regulated ground water discharge activities involves the discharging of sanitary or industrial wastewater to ground water.

NJPDES Discharge to Ground Water Permit

• Will you be discharging more than 2,000 gallons per day of sanitary wastewater to ground water (discharges include subsurface disposal systems such as septic systems, injection/recharge wells, or by overland flow)?
• Will you be discharging industrial wastewater to ground water in any quantity?

If you answered ‘yes’ to either of the above questions, the activity requires a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) Discharge to Ground Water permit.

Additional information:

• • NJPDES Ground Water Permitting Program
  • NJPDES Ground Water Permits, Applications Forms, and Checklists
  • For further information, contact the Bureau of Ground Water, Residuals and Permit Administration

Important Note: New discharges or expansions of existing discharges also require a Water Quality Management Plan Amendment. To obtain further information regarding plan amendments, please contact the Water Quality Management Planning Program.

Alternate Design Treatment Works Approval (TWA) Permit

• Will you be discharging 2,000 gallons per day or less of sanitary wastewater to the ground utilizing an individual subsurface sewage disposal system (otherwise known as a septic system)?
• Will the design of the septic system require a deviation from the Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems, N.J.A.C. 7:9A?

If you answered ‘yes’ to either of the above questions, you will need an Alternate Design Alternate Design Treatment Works Approval (TWA) permit.

Additional information:

• • Onsite Wastewater Management Program (i.e. Septic System)
  • Alternate Design TWA Applications Forms and Checklists
  • Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems, N.J.A.C. 7:9A
  • For further information, contact the Bureau of Ground Water, Residuals and Permit Administration

Certification for 50-or-More Realty Improvement Developments

• Are you proposing the development of 50-or-more housing units for a major subdivision with septic systems?

If so, you will need a 50-or-more realty improvement certification.

Additional information:

• • 50-or-More Realty Improvement Guidance
  • Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems, N.J.A.C. 7:9A
  • For further information, contact the Bureau of Ground Water, Residuals and Permit Administration

Discharge to Sewage Treatment Plant

Some dischargers do not discharge their wastewater directly into a surface waterbody like a stream or river, but discharge into a sanitary sewer system/sewage treatment plant.

• Will the project involve the discharge of industrial/commercial wastewater, either alone or combined with sanitary sewage, to a sewage treatment plant?
• Is the sewage treatment plant publicly owned? (If “no,” contact the Bureau of Surface Water Permitting).
• Is the sewage treatment plant operated by a delegated local agency (DLA)?

• • NJPDES SIU Application and Checklists
  • NJPDES SIU Rules
  • Who to Contact for More Information

Water/Wastewater Residuals Generation and Management

Residuals are generated by both domestic and industrial treatment plants. Residuals are managed in variety of ways.

• Will the project involve land application of residuals in New Jersey?
• Will the project involve processing of residuals and distribution of marketable residual product from processes such as composting, alkaline stabilization, heat drying, or pelletization in New Jersey?
• Will the project involve the storage and/or transfer of customer residuals?
• Will the project involve the distribution and land application of food processing residuals and/or food processing vegetative waste in New Jersey?
• Will the project involve the distribution and land application of water treatment or other industrial residuals?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, a NJPDES permit will be required.

If a permit is required, find out what you need and who to contact:

• • NJPDES Residuals Applications and Checklist
  • NJPDES Residuals Rules
  • Who to Contact for More Information

Wastewater Conveyance Systems

Wastewater conveyance systems are comprised of gravity pipes, manholes, tanks, lift stations, control structures, and force mains that gather residential and nonresidential wastewater and flows it to a wastewater treatment plant.

• Do you need a permit for sanitary or industrial wastewater discharges to surface waters of the State?
• Does your project involve the construction or upgrade of wastewater conveyance facilities (ex. sewer extensions, pumping stations, force mains, holding tanks, and various treatment plant components)?
• Will your project involve a gravity or pumped connection serving more than two buildings?
• Will your project involve a connection with a design flow exceeding 8,000 gpd.
• Will your project involve construction of a sewer along an easement through more than two properties?
• Will your project involve construction of a sewer along a roadway, or Public Right-of-Way?
• Will your project involve the operation of a municipal wastewater collection system (sanitary)?
• Will your project involve the construction/operation of a wastewater holding tank or a flow equalization tank?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above activities, you will need a Treatment Works Approval.

If a permit is needed, find out what you need and who to contact:

• • Treatment Works Approval Applications and Checklists
  • Treatment Works Approval Rules
  • Who to Contact for More Information

Wastewater Treatment Plants

New plant or upgrades to expand treatment capacity – these activities could require a Treatment Works Approval and/or a NJPDES permit.

• Will you be constructing a new wastewater treatment plant?
• Will you be upgrading an existing wastewater treatment plant?
• Will you be adding an expansion to an existing wastewater treatment plant?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you could require a Treatment Works Approval and/or a NJPDES permit.

 Find out what you need and who to contact:

• • Treatment Works Approval Applications and Checklists
  • Treatment Works Approval Rules
  • Who to Contact for More Information

• • NJPDES Surface Water Applications and Checklists
  • NJPDES Surface Water Rules
  • Who to Contact for More Information