Georgia to Require Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) Submittals

Background

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) will require the electronic submittal of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) starting in 2023 using Network DMR (NetDMR), which is a web-based application created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NetDMR allows permittees to report through a Central Data Exchange to an Integrated Compliance Information System. The process is intended to reduce paperwork, improve DMR quality, timeliness, and accessibility, and provide instant confirmation of submission. DMRs may currently be submitted electronically using the GAEPD Online System (GEOS) or by sending hard copies to GAEPD via return receipt certified mail (or a similar service).

New Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2023, all stormwater discharge monitoring data collected per the GAEPD National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (GAR050000) must be reported on a quarterly basis using NetDMR. This permit was re-issued on June 1, 2022, and the NetDMR reporting requirement applies to all permit holders. The monitoring data includes indicator, benchmark, and impaired waters sampling results. The required monitoring parameters and frequencies will be pre-populated on the DMR based on the information provided on the Notice of Intent (NOI) that was filed to obtain coverage under GAR050000. If pre-populated information on the DMR needs to be changed due to a condition-specific nuance, the permittee is required to contact GAEPD. DMRs are required to be submitted within 45 days of the end of each calendar quarter. A DMR must be submitted for every monitoring period even if no monitoring was completed.

Failure to submit a DMR on time is a violation of the permit. Permit non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, including permit termination, fines of up to $25,000 per day for each violation, and imprisonment for up to one year. Penalties increase for willful and repeat violations.

What Do Permittees Need to Do?

To get started with NetDMR, the permittee will need to create an account on the NetDMR website and then follow the prompts. Annual Reports required by GAR050000 must still be submitted to GAEPD on an annual basis via the GAEPD Online System (GEOS). Monitoring and sampling data for the period from the effective date of GAR050000 until December 31, 2022 must be reported with the 2022 Annual Report, which is due January 31, 2023.

ALL4 is available to assist with NetDMR set-up and/or data entry once the requirement goes into effect or any of your other permitting and compliance needs. If you have questions about using NetDMR, please contact Anna Richardson at arichardson@all4inc.com or Adam Czaplinski at aczaplinski@all4inc.com.