Regulatory Information

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and regulates wastewater discharges to lakes, streams, wetlands and other surface waters. State Disposal System (SDS) permits regulate the construction and operation of wastewater disposal systems, including land treatment systems. Together, NPDES/SDS permits establish specific limits and requirements to protect Minnesota's surface and ground water quality for a variety of uses, including drinking water, fishing and recreation. Access permit forms through links on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Web site.

Meat and Poultry Processing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Meat and Poultry Processing Effluent Limitation Guidelines for facilities that discharge directly to water bodies and hold NPDES permits became effective October 8, 2004.

Facilities must comply when their permits are reissued or when new sources begin discharging. The regulation applies to existing as well as new facilities including:

• slaughtering facilities (first processors)
• facilities that process products such as sausages (further processors)
• independent rendering facilities that convert inedible by-products to products such as pet food (renderers)

This rule applies to:

• existing direct wastewater discharges from meat and poultry facilities above specified production thresholds
• all new meat facilities above production thresholds
• all new poultry facilities regardless of production levels

This rule will benefit receiving waters by reducing discharges of conventional pollutants, phosphorus, ammonia and nitrogen.

More information is available in the Federal Register.