NPDES Training
The NPDES permitting program offers training courses, workshops, and webinars to explain the regulatory framework and technical considerations of the NPDES permit program. These courses are designed for permit writers, dischargers, EPA officials, and other interested parties.
- Water-Related Training Opportunities - Provides links to other offices within EPA that provide training courses related to water quality issues.
Upcoming Training
- NPDES Permit Writers' Course
- Tampa, Florida (February 27 - March 3, 2017)
Recorded Webinars and Training
These recorded presentations enable participants to review the material on demand in a self-paced environment.
Trainings:
- NPDES Permit Writers’ Training
- Web-Based Water Quality Trading Training
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to NPDES Permits Training
- Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Training
NPDES Permit Writers’ Training
The NPDES permit writers' course is a five-day course covering the key elements of NPDES permit development. The course is taught by experienced EPA staff and contractors and has been one of EPA's most successful courses over the past decade.
Because of the popularity of the course, EPA has recorded web-based presentations covering the material presented in several key modules of the live course. The presentations also are useful for those who have not attended a live course, but wish to become familiar with important concepts of the NPDES permits program.
Presentation Instructions:
Use the TABS on the left-hand side of the screen to choose an outline or transcript view. If you want to comment or ask a question, click the email link to contact the instructor. You can pause or go back to a previous slide much like using a DVD player. Hitting the UP ARROW or LEFT ARROW keys will go back to the beginning of the previous slide. Hitting the DOWN ARROW or RIGHT ARROW keys will move to the beginning of the next slide.
There is an eight-question quiz at the end of this presentation. You must pass this quiz in order to complete the presentation and print a certificate of completion. A passing score is 80 out of 100 points. The questions on the quiz have different point values based on level of difficulty. The point value for each question is indicated as that question in presented in the quiz. If you do not pass the quiz, you may either retake the quiz by clicking "Retry Quiz" at the end of the quiz or return to the beginning of the presentation by clicking "Finish" at the end of the quiz.
- Session 1: Overview of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the NPDES Program -- Introduces the history of the CWA and the statutory framework for the NPDES program. (28 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 2: Scope and Regulatory Framework of the NPDES Program -- Introduces the regulations that govern implementation of the NPDES program. (33 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 3: The NPDES Permit Application Process -- Provides an introduction to the information required in NPDES permit applications, the application process, and the role of a permit writer in reviewing NPDES permit applications. (27 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 4: Technology-based Effluent Limitations for POTWs -- Provides an overview of the national technology-based standards for POTWs and the process for implementing those standards through NPDES permits. (28 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 5: Technology-based Effluent Limitations for Non-POTWs -- Provides an overview of the national technology-based standards for facilities other than POTWs (such as manufacturing and other industrial and commercial facilities) and the process for implementing those standards through NPDES permits. (46 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 6: WQBELs Part I—Identifying the Applicable Water Quality Standards -- Part I of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. It introduces the water quality standards program, including the role of the permit writer and the function of the NPDES permit in implementing water quality standards. (36 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 7: WQBELs Part II—Characterizing the Effluent and Receiving Water -- Part II of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. Gaining an understanding of the content of the first presentation in the series is highly recommended before viewing this presentation. (29 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 8: WQBELs Part III—Determining the Need for Chemical-Specific WQBELs -- Part III of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. Gaining an understanding of the content of the first two presentations in the series is highly recommended before viewing this presentation. (46 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 9: WQBELs Part IV—Calculating Chemical-Specific WQBELs -- Part IV of a four-part series on establishing water quality-based effluent limitations. Gaining an understanding of the content of the first three presentations in the series is highly recommended before viewing this presentation. (35 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 10: Monitoring and Reporting Requirements in NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the regulatory requirements and other considerations that affect the monitoring and reporting requirements included in NPDES permits for different types of permitted facilities. (30 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 11: Special or Narrative Conditions in NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the types of special conditions that might be included in NPDES permits for different types of permitted facilities. (33 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 12: Standard Conditions of NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the regulations that specify the standard conditions that must be included in all NPDES permits. (17 minutes viewing time, 20 minutes to complete quiz)
- Session 13: Administrative Process for NPDES Permits -- Provides an overview of the administrative process leading to NPDES permit issuance and events that can occur after final permit issuance. (36 minutes viewing time, 15 minutes to complete quiz)
Web-Based Water Quality Trading Training
After releasing The Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers, EPA developed and presented a series of one-day training workshops to a limited number of locations around the country. EPA has recorded Web-based presentations covering the material presented in the one-day water quality trading training workshops. The presentations are useful for those who wish to become familiar with key water quality trading concepts.
Presentation Instructions:
Use the TABS on the left-hand side of the screen to choose an outline or transcript view. If you want to comment or ask a question, click the email link to contact the instructor. You can pause or go back to a previous slide much like using a DVD player. Hitting the UP ARROW or LEFT ARROW keys will go back to the beginning of the previous slide. Hitting the DOWN ARROW or RIGHT ARROW keys will move to the beginning of the next slide.
There is an eight-question quiz at the end of this presentation. You must pass this quiz in order to complete the presentation and print a certificate of completion. A passing score is 80 out of 100 points. The questions on the quiz have different point values based on level of difficulty. The point value for each question is indicated as that question in presented in the quiz. If you do not pass the quiz, you may either retake the quiz by clicking "Retry Quiz" at the end of the quiz or return to the beginning of the presentation by clicking "Finish" at the end of the quiz.
- Module 1: Overview of Water Quality Trading -- Introduces the concept of water quality trading, including regulations that govern implementation of the NPDES program. [14 minutes viewing time, 10 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 2: How Trading Fits into the Clean Water Act -- Provides a basic understanding of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and a framework of how water quality trading fits into the CWA. [32 minutes viewing time, 10 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 3: Types of Trading Programs -- Describes the types of trading programs, including trading scenarios, and an overview of where trading is happening. [32 minutes viewing time, 10 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 4: Assessing Feasibility of Creating a Trading Program - Environmental Assessment -- Addresses the basics of conducting an environmental assessment for water quality trading, the first portion of a larger water quality trading feasibility analysis. [25 minutes viewing time, 10 minutes to complete quiz)
- Module 5: Assessing Feasibility of Creating a Trading Program - Financial Attractiveness Analysis -- Addresses the concepts associated with conducting a financial attractiveness analysis for water quality trading, the second portion of a larger water quality trading feasibility analysis. Concepts include estimating point source control costs, assessing potential cost savings, and analyzing the factors influencing both credit cost and price. [25 minutes viewing time, 10 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 6: Designing a Water Quality Trading Program -- Identifies the common elements of credible trading programs and provides an overview of the design of several real-world trading programs. [24 minutes viewing time, 12 minutes to complete quiz]
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to NPDES Permits Training
EPA has developed three Web-based training modules on topics related to TMDLs and NPDES permitting. The presentations are intended for TMDL developers and NPDES permitting staff to gain a better understanding of TMDL implementation through NPDES permits.
The modules are available as unrecorded PowerPoint presentations with slides and scripts. The unrecorded modules can be used as-is or adapted with region or state-specific examples and information. The module-specific users’ guides provide more detail on the module content, as well as example discussion questions and additional resources.
Presentation Instructions:
Use the TABS on the left-hand side of the screen to choose an outline or transcript view. If you want to comment or ask a question, click the email link to contact the instructor. You can pause or go back to a previous slide much like using a DVD player. Hitting the UP ARROW or LEFT ARROW keys will go back to the beginning of the previous slide. Hitting the DOWN ARROW or RIGHT ARROW keys will move to the beginning of the next slide.
There is an eight-question quiz at the end of this presentation. You must pass this quiz in order to complete the presentation and print a certificate of completion. A passing score is 80 out of 100 points. The questions on the quiz have different point values based on level of difficulty. The point value for each question is indicated as that question in presented in the quiz. If you do not pass the quiz, you may either retake the quiz by clicking "Retry Quiz" at the end of the quiz or return to the beginning of the presentation by clicking "Finish" at the end of the quiz.
- Module 1: Understanding TMDLs: A Primer for NPDES Permit Writers -- Covers the regulatory foundation, requirements, and steps for developing a TMDL with a particular focus on developing wasteload allocations (WLAs) for point sources. There is a 10-question quiz at the end of the recorded presentation.
- Module 2: Understanding WLA Implementation in Permits: A Primer for TMDL Developers -- Covers how NPDES permit writers calculate water quality-based effluent limitations from WLAs and how other permit components are affected by TMDLs. There is a 10-question quiz at the end of the recorded presentation.
- Module 3: Understanding TMDLs with Stormwater Sources and the NPDES Stormwater Permitting Process -- Provides a basic overview of the TMDL and NPDES stormwater permitting programs and discusses the challenges and options for developing stormwater source wasteload allocations in TMDLs and then implementing those wasteload allocations through NPDES stormwater permits. There is a 10-question quiz at the end of the recorded presentation.
Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Training
EPA headquarters' NPDES Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) online training course covers the key elements of EPA’s NPDES WET permits program. These recorded web-based course modules cover most of the material presented during the live EPA NPDES WET courses provided to EPA regional offices and to the states.
The online NPDES WET modules are for persons implementing or permitted under the NPDES WET permits program. The modules familiarize viewers with EPA’s NPDES WET permits program and important WET technical concepts.
How to Navigate through Each Presentation:
Use the TABS on the left-hand side of the screen to access the online course menu to select: slide(s) from any of the modules, the audio transcript, and the acronym definition list available throughout all the modules. If you want to send a question click on the button at the top for Email EPA HQ’s WET Coordinator. The Resources button at the same location lets you access pdfs of several EPA NPDES WET documents and the WET analysis spreadsheet. The online course allows you to pause, advance to the next slide, or return to a previous slide similar to a DVD player.
The core modules in the online course focus on EPA’s freshwater acute and short-term chronic toxicity WET test methods. The course also includes information about EPA’s acute marine and short-term chronic estuarine and marine WET test methods used by states on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico; as well as short-term chronic WET test methods used by west coast states on the Pacific Ocean by clicking on a blue button when it appears. By clicking the blue button additional slides will appear with the relevant estuarine and marine WET test methods information. After viewing these additional slides, you will be automatically returned to where you were in the core NPDES WET course.
There is a quiz at the end of each module. You must pass this quiz in order to complete the module and be able to print a certificate of completion. A passing score of 80% is required. If you do not pass the quiz, you will be able to review the quiz or retry the quiz. You can review the module or any of the slides before repeating the quiz.
- Module 1: Overview of the NPDES WET Permitting Program – Provides a general introduction to Sections 101 and 301 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to EPA’s NPDES WET program; WET technical concepts; EPA’s recommended WET criteria; and WET implementation under EPA’s NPDES permits program. [42 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 2: NPDES Testing Methods for Whole Effluent Toxicity -- Provides an overview of WET test methods including the: WET test design; test species used in EPA’s WET tests; dilution water used to dilute effluent samples tested; and other important EPA WET test method recommendations and requirements. [29 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 3: NPDES Reviewing WET Tests and WET QA/QC -- Provides an overview of key EPA WET test methods requirements and recommendations regarding Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) used to ensure WET test data quality and when evaluating whether WET test data are considered valid. (35 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz)
- Module 4: NPDES WET Statistical Analysis and Data Interpretation -- Provides an overview of EPA’s recommended statistical approaches for evaluating valid WET test data to determine whether the responses of EPA WET test organisms to various effluent test concentrations indicate a level of toxicity that would result in an excursion of state WET water quality standards or an exceedance of a NPDES WET permit limit. [47 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 5: Determining WET Reasonable Potential for NPDES Permitting -- Provides an introduction to EPA’s NPDES WET permits program requirements and recommendations for determining WET Reasonable Potential (RP). The module includes an outline of EPA’s step-by-step approach for determining if an NPDES effluent discharge has RP as prescribed in EPA’s NPDES RP permit regulations and permit guidance. [43 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 6: NPDES WET Permit Development -- Provides an overview of EPA’s NPDES permitting approaches including: key factors to consider when developing NPDES WET permit requirements; recommended permit conditions and language; suggested WET monitoring frequencies; how to address some common WET permitting concerns; how to calculate NPDES WET permit limits; and other important NPDES WET permit considerations. [59 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 7: NPDES WET Testing Decision-Making and WET Permit Language Review -- Provides and illustrates some of the NPDES permit decision-making approaches used when implementing WET under NPDES permits. Includes sample permit examples to describe a few of the decisions considered when implementing WET in NPDES permits. Contains examples of permit language reviews to emphasize possible mistakes when developing NPDES WET permits. [40 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 8: NPDES WET Compliance and Enforcement -- Provides an overview of EPA’s enforcement approaches including enforcement discretion with respect to NPDES WET permits. Includes a general overview of EPA’s NPDES national policy and guidance enforcement documents. [24 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
- Module 9: NPDES Toxicity Reduction Evaluations and Toxicity Identification Evaluations -- Provides a general overview of EPA's Toxicity Reduction Evaluations (TREs) and Toxicity Identification Evaluations (TIEs) procedures used to identify, reduce, and/or eliminate toxicity measured by EPA WET tests which results in excursions of state WET water quality standards and/or exceedances of NPDES permit limits. [42 minutes viewing time; 15 minutes to complete quiz]
Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Videos
EPA Freshwater Series
- Ceriodaphnia Survival and Reproduction Toxicity Test
- Culturing Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas)
- Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Larvel Survival and Growth Toxicity Test
EPA Saltwater Series
- Mysid (Americamysis bahia) Survival, Growth, and Fecundity Toxicity Tests
- Culturing Mysids (Americamysis bahia)
- Sperm Cell Toxicity Tests Using the Sea Urchin (Arbacia punctulata)
- Red Algal (Champia parvula) Sexual Reproduction Toxicity Tests
- Sheepshead Minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) Larval Survival and Growth Toxicity Tests