NPDES Permit Writer's Specialty Training: Addressing Nutrient Pollution in NPDES Permits
EPA's NPDES Permit Writer’s Specialty Training: Addressing Nutrient Pollution in NPDES Permits online training course builds on the basic NPDES Permit Writers’ Course, but adapts the concepts presented in that course to consider issues permit writers may face when permitting discharges of nutrients.
The online course is for persons implementing the NPDES permits program. EPA recommends that you complete the basic NPDES Permit Writers’ Course before taking this course. The online course consists of two introductory modules and six modules covering the various aspects of developing water quality-based effluent limitations, or WQBELs, for nutrients. EPA has also developed three additional modules covering tools for flexibility in nutrient permitting, including permit compliance schedules and water quality standards variances (coming soon), watershed-based permitting, and water quality trading.
How to Navigate through Each Presentation:
The online course is accessible through most web browsers; however, Google Chrome is recommended.
Use the TABS on the left-hand side of the screen to access a menu of slides within the module (Menu tab), the audio transcript (Notes tab), important reference documents and website links (Resources tab), and the acronym definition list (Acronyms tab). These tabs are available throughout all the modules. The online course allows you to pause, advance to the next slide, or return to a previous slide. The circular arrow button to the right of the audio bar allows you to replay the audio on the current slide.
There is a quiz at the end of each module. You must pass the quiz in order to complete the module and be able to print a certificate of completion. A passing score of 80 percent is required. If you do not pass the quiz, you will be able to review and retry the quiz. After completing the quiz, you will be directed to a website where you can enter your name and organization to access a printable certificate for your records.
- Introduction to Nutrients and the NPDES Program—Part 1: Overview of Nutrient Pollution and NPDES Permitting
Provides an overview of the water quality and economic impacts of nutrient pollution and NPDES permitting for nutrients. (30 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - Introduction to Nutrients and the NPDES Program—Part 2: Overview of Effluent Limitations for Nutrients
Provides an overview of the types of effluent limitations for nutrients that may be found in an NPDES permit. (30 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - WQBELs for Nutrients—Part 1: Identifying the Applicable Water Quality Standards
Covers identification of the applicable water quality standards that are the basis for WQBELs for nutrients. (45 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - WQBELs for Nutrients—Part 2: Interpreting Nutrient Criteria
Covers interpretation of nutrient criteria that might be part of a state’s water quality standards. (30 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - WQBELs for Nutrients—Part 3: Selecting a "Reasonable Potential Analysis" Approach
Covers selection of an approach to conducting a “reasonable potential analysis” for the purpose of determining whether WQBELs for nutrients are needed. (45 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - WQBELs for Nutrients—Part 4: Selecting Critical Conditions and Determining the Need for WQBELs
Covers selection of critical conditions for a water quality model used to determine the need for WQBELs for nutrients. (45 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - WQBELs for Nutrients—Part 5: Calculating WQBELs
Covers the process of calculating WQBELs for nutrients. (60 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - WQBELs for Nutrients—Part 6: Finalizing Effluent Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Covers finalization of the permit and important monitoring and reporting considerations for nutrients. (30 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - Tools for Flexibility—Part 1: Permit Compliance Schedules and Water Quality Standards Variances (Coming soon)
Will cover permit compliance schedules and water quality standards variances and how they can be used to provide flexibility in meeting WQBELs for nutrients.
- Tools for Flexibility—Part 2: Watershed-based Permitting
Covers watershed-based permitting and how it can be used to provide flexibility in permitting for nutrients. (60 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz) - Tools for Flexibility—Part 3: Water Quality Trading
Covers water quality trading and how it can be used to provide flexibility in permitting for nutrients. (45 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)