Tetra Tech has been involved in drafting hundreds of NPDES permits for municipal and industrial dischargers across the country. We have a thorough understanding of the operation of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and industrial wastewater treatment systems, water quality issues (e.g., TMDLs, water quality standards), and the effluent limitation development process. We're supporting several key initiatives, such as developing watershed-based NPDES permits, evaluating the applicability of the NPDES bypass provision to combined sewer overflows, supporting training, and developing strategic plans and reports to Congress. Our in-depth and hands-on experience in the NPDES permit program gives us with the ability to evaluate program effectiveness and efficiencies, as well as develop tools to expedite permit issuance. Back to top Tetra Tech has a long history of helping clients to develop effective storm water management programs. We draft permits, conduct audits of Phase I MS4 programs, and develop standardized approaches to streamline facility inspections. We supported the development of tools like the Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Storm Water Phase II and the Measurable Goals Guidance for Storm Water Phase II. We're always up-to-date on the latest storm water treatment technologies and their effectiveness under various geographic and weather conditions. We routinely monitor BMPs such as man-made wetlands, ponds, sand filters, stream corridor restoration, and other practices. We developed national databases to provide information on the cost of various BMPs and their effectiveness in reducing pollutant loadings from urban development. Our staff recently completed a BMP assessment tool that uses flow and pollutant load time series derived from computer models to determine the flow and pollutant reductions that will occur from assumed onsite controls. More information about this tool is available in the Watershed and Receiving Water Modeling section. Our experience in evaluating and setting minimum standardized requirements for erosion and sediment control and storm water runoff BMPs provides us with the knowledge of current state and local programs and compliance techniques employed by land developers, home builders, builders of commercial and industrial facilities, and other private and public sector construction site owners and operators. We're currently supporting EPA in the preparation of national regulations that will result in modifications to the requirements contained in the NPDES Construction General Permit for construction sites disturbing an acre or more. Through our support to EPA's national water regulatory programs, we've prepared an Industry Profile, a Technology Assessment, and a Baseline Environmental Assessment for the Construction and Land Development Industry Effluent Guidelines. Back to top