Surface Water
Discharge Permits

Surface Water Discharge Permits

In 1972, Congress passed the federal Clean Water Act. Under this act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (clicking this link will take you out of the SD State website) permitting program was established to help protect the quality of the nation's waters. On December 30, 1993, the US Environmental Protection Agency delegated the authority for issuing NPDES permits in South Dakota to the state. In South Dakota, we refer to these permits as Surface Water Discharge permits.

The state issues Surface Water Discharge permits to any point source that is discharging wastewater to waters of the state. The permits contain effluent limits that will protect the beneficial uses of our surface waters. The permits also contain the sampling and reporting requirements that each facility must follow.  Issued permits and inspection reports are available for viewing online. You may also view and comment on permit applications that are currently on Public Notice.

The Surface Water Discharge permitting program consists of several interrelated permitting programs. Information on each of these programs is available in the links below:

• Pretreatment program

• Electronic Discharge Monitoring Reporting (NetDMR)

• Stormwater program

• CAFOs program

• Biosolids/Sludge

• Water Treatment and Distribution Activities

• Pesticide General Permits

• Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

• Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing

• Operator Assistance

• Virtual Tour of a Wastewater Treatment Plant

For more information about who needs a Surface Water Discharge permit, see our South Dakota Permitting Guide or contact the Water Quality Team at (605) 773-3351. Application forms are available on-line.