Rules, Regulations, Laws, and Acts

This webpage provides a list of the legal authorities under which the programs within the Division of Water Quality operate.

General information regarding NJDEP’s rules and regulations:

For general information on federal rules, proposal, and regulations, please visit the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Rules and Regulations

State

N.J.A.C. 7:8 – Stormwater Management

This chapter establishes general requirements for stormwater management plans and stormwater control ordinances; content requirements and procedures for the adoption and implementation of stormwater management plans; design and performance standards for stormwater management measures; and safety standards for stormwater management.
N.J.A.C. 7:9A – Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems

Provides the standards for the proper location, design, construction, installation, alteration, repair and operation of individual subsurface sewage disposal systems.
N.J.A.C. 7:9B – New Jersey Surface Water Quality Standards

Contains stream classifications, water designated uses, water quality criteria to protect uses, antidegradation policies and procedures for implementing water quality standards.
N.J.A.C. 7:9C – New Jersey Ground Water Quality Standards

Specifies ground water classification, designated uses and ground water quality criteria. Includes procedures for developing criteria, and implementing ground water quality standards. Contains table of groundwater quality criteria for various substances and chemicals.
N.J.A.C. 7:10A – Licensing of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment System Operators

Governs the construction and operation of water systems; establishes drinking water standards to ensure for the provision of a safe and adequate water supply for consumption by the public. Establishes standards for construction and procedures for certifications of water supply systems under the Reality Improvement, Sewerage and Facilities Act, N.J.S.A. 58:11-23.
N.J.A.C. 7:14 – Water Pollution Control Act

Contains requirements for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities. Establishes penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, including mandatory penalties under the Clean Water Enforcement Act.
N.J.A.C. 7:14A – New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES)

Regulates the discharge of pollutants to the surface and ground waters of the State. Describes how to obtain a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and a Treatment Works Approval.
N.J.A.C. 7:14C – Sludge Quality Assurance Regulations (SQAR)

Rules for sludge quality assurance reporting required of all domestic and industrial treatment works which generate sludge in the State or which transport sludge into the State for use or disposal.
N.J.A.C. 7:14D – Determination of Environmental Benefit of the Reuse of Further Treated Effluent in Industrial Facilities

Application requirements and review process for the determination of environmental benefit (DEB). An applicant who receives a DEB can file with the Division of Taxation a claim for a corporate business tax credit and/or sales tax refund for qualifying equipment.
N.J.A.C. 7:15 – Water Quality Management Planning

Prescribes water quality management policies and procedures concerning water quality management planning, including Statewide, areawide, and county water quality management plans (WQMPs) and wastewater management plans (WMPs). Provides review process and procedures for WQMP consistency determinations, revisions and amendments including WMPs.

Describes process used to identify water quality limited segments. Sets forth two general approaches for development of total maximum daily loads. Establishes policies and procedures for the award of grant funds to watershed management groups.
N.J.A.C. 7:22 – Financial Assistance Programs for Environmental Infrastructure Facilities >

Rules governing the administration of financial assistance programs for a wide variety of water supply, wastewater, storm water and non-point source management projects. Rules regarding State matching grants that were formerly provided to public entities receiving Federal Construction Grants. Rules that apply to the Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program that is jointly administered by the Department and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (Trust).
N.J.A.C. 22A – Sewage Infrastructure Improvement Act Grants

Chapter expired April 21, 2013.

Federal

40 CRF 122 et seq. – EPA-Administered Permit Programs: The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
40 CRF 123 et seq. – State Program Requirements
40 CRF 124 et seq. – Procedures for Determinations
40 CRF 125 et seq. – Criteria and Standards for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
40 CRF 127 et seq. – NPDES Electronic Reporting
40 CRF 133 et seq. – Secondary Treatment Regulation
40 CRF 403 et seq. – General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution
40 CRF 501 et seq. – State Sludge Management Program Regulations
40 CRF 503 et seq. – Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge

Laws and Acts

State

N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq. New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act
N.J.S.A. 58:11A-1 et seq. Water Quality Planning Act
N.J.S.A. 58:11-49 et seq. Pretreatment (no official title)
N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11 et seq. Spill Compensation and Control Act
N.J.S.A. 58:11-64 et seq. Water Supply and Wastewater Operator’s Licensing Act
N.J.S.A. 13:1D-1 et seq. DEP Act of 1970
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-1 et seq. Solid Waste Management Act
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-4.1 et seq. Subsurface and Percolating Waters Act
N.J.A.C. 7:9-9.1 et seq. Sealing of Abandoned Wells
N.J.S.A. 58:12A-1 et seq. Safe Drinking Water Act
N.J.S.A. 58:25-23 et seq. Sewage Infrastructure Improvement Act
P.L. 1969, c. 127 Water Conservation Bond Act of 1969
P.L. 1976, c.92 Clean Waters Bond Act
P.L. 1980, c.70 Natural Resources Bond Act of 1980
P.L. 1985, c. 306 Pinelands Infrastructure Improvement Act of 1985
P.L. 1985, c.329 Wastewater Treatment Bond Act of 1985
P.L. 1989, c.181 Stormwater Management and Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Bond Act of 1989
P.L. 1992, c.88 Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Act of 1992

Federal

33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. Clean Water Act
42 U.S.C. 300F Safe Drinking Water Act
42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq Solid Waste Disposal Act