OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEYDischarge to Ground Water Permitting Program
Any facility that discharges pollutants to ground waters of the State is required to have a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) – Discharge to Ground Water (DGW) permit. The state rule that sets forth the requirements on eligibility, procedures for obtaining, and general conditions for maintaining a NJPDES-DGW permit are in N.J.A.C. 7:14A. The goal of the NJPDES-DGW permitting program is to restore, enhance and maintain the ground water quality of New Jersey pursuant to the WPCA and the Ground Water Quality Standards (GWQS). The GWQS designate ground water classifications throughout the state, designated uses, and ground water quality criteria and constituent standards.
The types of facilities regulated include: mines, pits and quarries; schools and hospitals; potable water treatment plants; large corporate office buildings; industrial manufacturing facilities; campgrounds and mobile home parks; food processors; and sewage treatment plants and other discharges of wastewater that can impact ground water.
NJPDES-DGW permits may be in the form of an Individual or General Permit.
- Individual permits are tailored to the specific conditions of a facility’s operation and are typically issued to facilities with multiple operations, complex site organization, or for those facilities that are not eligible for a general permit. Individual permits provide a facility the flexibility of utilizing custom best management practices (BMPs), in addition to site-specific monitoring and sampling requirements to track the discharge of pollutants into underlying aquifers. More information on ground water individual permits.
- General permits are a type of permit that is issued for similar types of activities or discharges. A facility may request authorization under a general permit if the facility conforms to the eligibility requirements of that particular permit. More information on ground water general permits.
Ground water discharges may also be regulated through either the Site Remediation Program, or by the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste. These discharges are from past activities such as spills, or from the impact of non-operating or closed landfills. These discharges must obtain pollution control approvals such as MOAs or voluntary cleanups, from the relevant group in either of those programs. These types of discharges include, but are not limited to:
- Past Discharges and the subsequent leaching of metals and petroleum product from contaminated soils
- Monitoring at officially closed Sanitary landfills (Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste)
- Underground storage tanks and associated remediation
- ISRA contaminated site
Does my facility need an Individual Permit?
Permit eligibility for Discharge to Ground Water permits is based on the type of discharge. If your facility incorporates any one of these discharge types it may be required to apply for a NJPDES-DGW permit. In order to determine the applicability, the facility should contact the Bureau of Ground Water, Residuals, and Permit Administration for further information.
How much does an Individual Permit cost?
There are no costs associated with filing an application for an individual NJPDES discharge to ground water permit. However, NJPDES permits are assessed an annual fee consistent with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 7:14A-3 .
What monitoring is usually associated with an Individual Permit?
Monitoring requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis for each facility that applies for an Individual Discharge to Ground Water permit. Most facilities are required to have a combination of discharge monitoring of the effluent entering the discharge unit, as well as a ground water monitoring wells, to determine compliance with the New Jersey Ground Water Quality Standards .
Does the Department maintain a list of recommended consultants for NJPDES permits?
The Department does not maintain a list of recommended consultants, nor can the Department endorse or promote any consulting firm.
What is a Mounding Analysis?
As part of some permit applications, a mounding analysis is required to determine if the capacity of the soils is capable of distributing the wastewater without causing hydraulic failure. In addition, some facilities must maintain a minimum distance between the ground water mound and the bottom of the discharge unit. Further information on the mounding analysis may be found in the Department’s “Technical Manual for NJPDES Discharge to Ground Water Permits .”
What is a Nitrate Dilution Model?
As part of some permit applications, a nitrate dilution model is required to determine if nitrate concentrations within ground water due to a wastewater discharge can dilute to meet the New Jersey Ground Water Quality Standard within a certain area (Usually by the time the nitrate plume reaches near the downgradient property line). Further information on the Nitrate Dilution Model may be found in the Department’s “Technical Manual for NJPDES Discharge to Ground Water Permits .”
Can a facility with an Individual Permit switch to a General Permit?
General permits typically have more stringent eligibility criteria to meet the concerns of the particular industry or discharge type covered by that permit. Facilities always retain the ability to apply for a general permit if they meet the minimum eligibility requirements for that particular general permit. For further information on the type of general permits available, please visit the information page on General Permits.
What treatment systems does the Department require facilities to use at the site?
The Department does not recommend a particular manufacturer or treatment technology as part of the wastewater treatment systems under NJPDES permits. However, all treatment systems must achieve compliance with the New Jersey Ground Water Compliance Standards.