OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEYTreatment Works Approval (TWA)
The Treatment Works Approval (TWA) program regulates the construction and operation of industrial and domestic wastewater collection, conveyance and treatment facilities, including treatment plants, pumping stations, interceptors, sewer mains and other collection, holding and conveyance systems. TWA permits are issued after a facility has obtained a NJPDES permit and ensures that that the construction and operation of the treatment works complies with the effluent standards specified in the NJPDES permit. The Treatment Works Approval process also involves assessing the design of new sewer lines and other wastewater conveyance facilities (force mains, pumping stations, etc.) as well as evaluating downstream conveyance and treatment capacity. The administrative and technical requirements of the TWA program are stipulated in N.J.A.C. 7:14A-22 and 23 , respectively.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Expedited TWA program is no longer offered.
The submission of an administratively complete application is essential for the timely processing of all TWA applications. Links to the application forms and checklists, as well as common TWA application deficiencies, are provided below. Complete applications, with original signatures and P.E. seals (raised), must be mailed to:
Mail Code: 401-02B
NJDEP – Division of Water Quality
Bureau of Ground Water, Residuals and Permit Administration (BGRPA)
Permit Administration Section (PAS)
PO Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
If you have questions regarding the administrative status of a TWA permit application, please contact the Permit Administration Section (PAS). If you have technical questions regarding Treatment Works Approval permits, please contact the Treatment Works Approval (TWA) Program.
Looking for the status of your TWA application?
If so, you can find the status of your application using the below reports which allow for searching based on Program Interest (i.e. PI) number or TWA project Number.
Common Application Deficiencies
- The applicant listed on the TWA-1 Form is incorrect. The applicant should be the entity that will eventually own and operate the proposed treatment works.
- Signatures on the TWA-1, WQM003-T, and WQM-006 series forms are older than 1 year and/or are not original.
- WQM003-T form does not include certification signatures from the appropriate wastewater conveyance system owner and/or wastewater treatment facility owner.
- Proposed improvements to an onsite disposal system (e.g., septic) under a NJPDES T1 General Permit does not have the required prior approval from the NJPDES Ground Water Permitting Program to submit a TWA application.
- The application fee is not included with the application or is calculated incorrectly.
- Notifications to the Local Planning Board and Environmental Commission are not included (certified mail – return receipt requested).
- Engineering documents are not signed, sealed, and designated as final.
- Gravity sewer lines are designed below minimum slope requirements or are oversized to circumvent the need for a pump station and force main.
- The Engineer’s Report (Form WQM-006) and the final construction plans are inconsistent.
- The site plan is incomplete (for example, plans do not show existing sanitary sewer lines, water mains, storm sewers, stream crossings, etc.).
- Proposed project is not located in an approved sewer service area as defined by the applicable Water Quality Management Plan or amendment therein.
- The design flow calculation is inconsistent with Department requirements and/or greater than the amount of flow approved by the owner of the receiving wastewater treatment facility.
- The engineering design deviates from the Department’s requirements and adequate justification is not provided.