Discharge Monitoring Report

A Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) is a United States regulatory term for a periodic water pollution report prepared by industries, municipalities and other facilities discharging to surface waters.^[1] The facilities collect wastewater samples, conduct chemical and/or biological tests of the samples, and submit reports to a state agency or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All point source dischargers to ”Waters of the U.S.” must obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the appropriate agency, and many permittees are required to file DMRs.^[2]

NPDES permits and DMR reporting process

For permits other than stormwater permits, the agencies issue effluent limitations for specific pollutants, pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA). The basis for these limitations depends on the type of discharging facility, the discharge characteristics and status of the specific surface water body receiving the discharge.

• National technology-based standards apply to many industries (these standards are called “effluent guidelines"), and to municipal sewage treatment plants.^[3]
• Some dischargers are subject to water quality-based effluent limitations, derived from water quality standards for the adjacent water body.
• For pollutants not covered by the above circumstances, the agency may set technology-based limitations based on its "best professional judgment."^[4]

Most NPDES permits require facilities to submit monthly DMRs, but some permits require seasonal or semi-annual reporting. Facilities may collect and analyze samples more frequently, e.g. weekly, and summarize the results for the prescribed reporting period. Permits typically require reporting of wastewater flow and the results of one or more chemical tests, such as pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients (nitrates and phosphorus), various toxic pollutants, temperature, etc. Some permits also require aquatic biomonitoring of the receiving waterbody.

Accessing DMR Data

The CWA defines DMR data as publicly-available information (except for data that would reveal trade secrets).^[5] EPA houses DMR data in two information systems, the Permit Compliance System (PCS) and the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS). These databases are available through EPA's "Envirofacts" website and Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO).^[6] EPA has also create the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Pollutant Loading Tool to help users determine who is discharging, what pollutants they are discharging and how much, and where they are discharging. EPA also allows users to search on "who Facility-level data (which allows comparisons of a facility's air, water and solid waste compliance) are available through the agency’s Facility registry system.

See also

• Water quality
• Category:Water quality indicators
• Total maximum daily load

Notes

1. ^ United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Washington, DC. “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Compliance Monitoring.”
2. ^ Note: Some permittees, notably stormwater dischargers such as construction site operators and municipal separate storm sewer systems, may not be required to file DMRs. These facilities prepare stormwater pollution prevention plans and may be required to submit other reports, which vary from state to state.
3. ^ EPA. Secondary Treatment Regulation. Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 133.
4. ^ EPA. "NPDES Permit Writers' Manual." Chapter 3. December 1996. Document No. EPA-833-B-96-003.
5. ^ CWA section 308(b), 33 U.S.C. § 1318(b).
6. ^ EPA. "Enforcement & Compliance History Online (ECHO)."

External links

• EPA Envirofacts - access Discharge Monitoring Reports and related water permit info