Land Application: When, How, and Where to Apply for a Permit

When to Apply

• New Dischargers
• Renewals
• Modifications

Applications for new land application discharges must be submitted to the Bureau at least 180 days prior to the anticipated date of discharge. Applications for renewal of an ND permit must be made at least 180 days prior the expiration date of the permit. For more information on permit renewals, please visit our ND WEB page on Permit Renewal Information.

1. New Dischargers

   New dischargers must use the following application and forms when applying for an ND permit (click on form to download):

   • ND Application Form
   • Location Supplement
   • Sludge Supplement

   If the proposed discharge is from a new wastewater treatment facility, the application package must include a preliminary engineering report prepared in accordance with SC Regulation 61-67, Standards for Wastewater Facility Construction. Other information, such as a report on "Sludge Disposal," must also be included.  For more information on the wastewater construction permit process for new wastewater treatment facilities, please visit our WEB page on the Wastewater Construction Permit Program.  If the proposed discharge is for just sludge or septage, a sludge disposal report must be submitted.

   For a proposed discharge that does not involve wastewater treatment facility effluent, sludge, or septage, a preliminary engineering report does not have to be submitted. Rather, a brief report or letter explaining the proposed permit must be included in the application package.

   There are no application fees for ND permits but there are annual operating fees for issued permits. The first year's annual operating fee must be paid before an ND permit for a new discharge can be issued.  While the first year's annual operating fee does not have to be submitted with the application, the Bureau recommends that the fee be included in the application package. If the permit is denied or the application is withdrawn before a permit decision is made, the Bureau will refund the fee. If the annual fee is not included in the application package, the Bureau will request the fee when the public notice on intent to issue the permit is published. The permit will not be issued until the first year's annual fee is paid.  For more information on fees, please visit our ND WEB page on Fees.

2. Renewals

   Dischargers applying for reissuance of  ND permits must use the ND application and location supplement.  However, normally the sludge supplement does not have to be resubmitted. The PER or sludge/septage report must be submitted if the method of sludge disposal is proposed to be changed.

   There are no fees when reapplying for an ND permit.  However, if there are any unpaid fees (a delinquent account) owed to the Bureau in any environmental program, the reissuance of the ND permit may be denied.

3. Modifications

   Requests for modifications must be made in writing.  Depending upon the nature of the requested modification, an application and the applicable supplements may be required.  For instance, if a modification request is for a wastewater treatment facility expansion, an application must be included. Other modification requests, such as deletion of a land application site, reduction in monitoring frequency, change is operator requirements, etc. do not require an application, but they should be explained and justified, when necessary, in the modification request.

   There are no fees for a modification to an ND permit.  However, a permit modification may change the annual fee for the next billing period (July 1 through June 30).  If there are any unpaid fees (a delinquent account) owed to the Department in any environmental program, the ND permit modification may be denied and the existing permit revoked.

The ND permit application package must be submitted to the following: