An Introduction to WLSSD’s NPDES Permit
In 2022, WLSSD celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and for good reason—the CWA is regarded as one of the most transformative laws for water pollution regulation in our nation’s history! WLSSD has a direct connection to the CWA. The CWA was instrumental in funding construction of WLSSD, and other wastewater treatment infrastructure across the country, as well as establishing the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for permits that limit pollutant discharge and guide the work we do at WLSSD every day. An introduction to WLSSD’s NPDES permit would be incomplete without mentioning CWA and its efforts to make US waterways swimmable and fishable and to bring the permit system to life.
Since operations began in 1978, WLSSD has received NPDES permits that cover wastewater and biosolids in Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provides oversight for our NPDES Permit, which is issued for a 5-year period. Our most recent permit was issued for 2016-2021 and expired in May 2021. WLSSD submitted an application for renewal in 2020 and the MPCA has recently published a draft permit for 60-day public review. Questions and comments about the permit can be directed to the MPCA at the link provided. This permit will cover 2023-2028. The permit lists parameters for about 20 different pollutants including:
- Mercury and other heavy metals
- Nitrogen and phosphorus
- Bacteria/pathogens