South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-9 - Water Pollution Control Permits
Subchapter 61-9.122 - THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
Part C - PERMIT CONDITIONS
Section 61-9.122.C.47 - Schedule of compliance

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-9.122.C.47

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

(a) General. The NPDES permit may, when appropriate, specify a schedule of compliance leading to compliance with CWA, PCA, and regulations.

(1) Time for compliance. Any schedules of compliance under this section shall require compliance as soon as possible, but not later than the applicable statutory deadline under the CWA or as provided for under section122.47(c)(c).

(2) The first NPDES permit issued to a new source or a new discharger shall contain a schedule of compliance only when necessary to allow a reasonable opportunity to attain compliance with requirements issued or revised after commencement of construction but less than three years before commencement of the relevant discharge. For recommencing dischargers, a schedule of compliance shall be available only when necessary to allow a reasonable opportunity to attain compliance with requirements issued or revised less than three years before recommencement of discharge.

(3) Interim dates. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, if a permit establishes a schedule of compliance which exceeds nine (9) months from the date of permit issuance, the schedule shall set forth interim requirements and the date for their achievement.
(i) The time between interim dates shall not exceed nine (9) months, except that in the case of a schedule for compliance with standards for sewage sludge use and disposal, the time between interim dates shall not exceed six months.

(ii) If the time necessary for completion of any interim requirement (such as the construction of a control facility) is more than nine (9) months and is not readily divisible into stages for completion, the permit shall specify interim dates for the submission of reports of progress toward completion of the interim requirements and indicate a projected completion date.

(4) Reporting. The permit shall be written to require that no later than 10 days following each interim date and the final date of compliance, the permittee shall notify the Department in writing of its compliance or noncompliance with the interim or final requirements, or submit progress reports if paragraph (a)(3)(ii) is applicable.

(b) Alternative schedules of compliance. An NPDES permit applicant or permittee may cease conducting regulated activities (by terminating of direct discharge for NPDES sources) rather than continuing to operate and meet permit requirements as follows:

(1) If the permittee decides to cease conducting regulated activities at a given time within the term of a permit which has already been issued:
(i) The permit may be modified to contain a new or additional schedule leading to timely cessation of activities; or

(ii) The permittee shall cease conducting permitted activities before non-compliance with any interim or final compliance schedule requirement already specified in the permit.

(2) If the decision to cease conducting regulated activities is made before issuance of a permit whose term will include the termination date, the permit shall contain a schedule leading to termination which will ensure timely compliance with applicable requirements no later than the statutory deadline.

(3) If the permittee is undecided whether to cease conducting regulated activities, the Department may issue or modify a permit to contain two schedules as follows:
(i) Both schedules shall contain an identical interim deadline requiring a final decision on whether to cease conducting regulated activities no later than a date which ensures sufficient time to comply with applicable requirements in a timely manner if the decision is to continue conducting regulated activities;

(ii) One schedule shall lead to timely compliance with applicable requirements, no later than the statutory deadline;

(iii) The second schedule shall lead to cessation of regulated activities by a date which will ensure timely compliance with applicable requirements no later than the statutory deadline.

(iv) Each permit containing two schedules shall include a requirement that after the permittee has made a final decision under paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section it shall follow the schedule leading to compliance if the decision is to continue conducting regulated activities, and follow the schedule leading to termination if the decision is to cease conducting regulated activities.

(4) The applicant's or permittee's decision to cease conducting regulated activities shall be evidenced by a firm public commitment satisfactory to the Department, such as a resolution of the board of directors of a corporation.

(c) Terms and Conditions of Permits: Schedules of Compliance.

(1) A person issued an NPDES permit by the Department who is not in compliance with applicable effluent standards and limitations or other requirements contained therein at the time the permit is issued, shall be required to achieve compliance within a period of time as set forth by the Department, with effluent standards and limitations, with water quality standards, or with specific requirements or conditions set by the Department. The Department shall require compliance with terms and conditions of the permit in the shortest reasonable period of time as determined thereby or within a time schedule for compliance which shall be specified in the issued permit.

(2) If a time schedule for compliance specified in an NPDES permit which is established by the Department pursuant to Subpart (1) above, exceeds nine (9) months, the time schedule shall provide for interim dates of achievement for compliance with certain applicable terms and conditions of the permit.

(d) Terms and Conditions of Permits: Compliance Reports by Dischargers.

(1) Within ten (10) days after an interim date of compliance or the final date of compliance specified in an NPDES permit, a permittee shall provide the Department with written notice of his compliance or noncompliance with the requirements or conditions specified to be completed by that date.

(2) Failure to submit the written notice to the Department is just cause for the Department to pursue enforcement action against the discharger pursuant to the State law or this regulation.

(e) Noncompliance. A discharger who fails or refuses to comply with an interim or final date of compliance specified in an NPDES permit, may be deemed by the Department to be in violation of the permit and may be subject to enforcement action prescribed in the State law or this regulation.

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