Priority Area 6:
Integrated Compliance Information System for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES) & Permit Compliance System (PCS) Requirements

 

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.

EPA collects information on implementation of the NPDES program in a database.  Since 1974, the information has been collected in the Permit Compliance System (PCS).  Since 2002, EPA has been working to modernize PCS by creating a new data system called the Integrated Compliance Information System for NPDES (ICIS-NPDES).  The modernization from PCS to ICIS-NPDES addresses outdated technology and new program requirements.

Nine states recommended that EPA reduce the proposed reporting requirements for ICIS-NPDES.  The approach EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) is taking to address the recommendations is twofold:

1. Issue a new rule – called the NPDES Program Management Information Rule -- that will define the minimum NPDES reporting that EPA needs to manage the national NPDES program.  States will have the opportunity to comment on EPA’s proposal.
2. Streamline the ICIS-NPDES database so that data submission is easier.  OECA is developing a “batch” data transfer process (i.e., a process of moving data en masse rather than piecemeal) and conducting an Alternative Analysis to understand if other database architectures could improve ICIS-NPDES.

As of July 2008, 22 states, two tribes, and nine territories are successfully using ICIS-NPDES.  Once final, the new NPDES Program Management Information Rule would identify necessary data for reporting by NPDES agencies and when those agencies (including authorized states) would be required begin reporting pursuant to the rule.  Currently, OECA projects the final rule will be issued in the last quarter of calendar year 2009.  Consult the “Timeline/Documentation” tab for further information about the rule, batch transfers, and the Alternative Analysis.