Effective June 12, 2004, the Division of Water Quality completed a reorganization designed to make operations more effective and efficient, benefit the regulated community with timely permit processing, and better integrate regulatory responsibilities with its funding program. This consisted of consolidating and streamlining bureaus within the Municipal Finance and Construction Element (MFCE) and transferring personnel from the MFCE to the Watershed Permitting Element (WPE) to help process NJPDES permits.

The following organizational changes were implemented: (A revised organization chart, including contact information, is available on the Web at www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/dwqorg.htm.)

Director's Office

The Bureau of Permit Management (BPM), which had reported to the Assistant Director of the WPE, now reports directly to the Director.

The BPM reviews NJPDES applications for administrative completeness and issues all minor permit modifications for name changes, transfers of ownership, and administrative revocations. It also administers the discharge monitoring report process, the NJPDES and Treatment Works Approval (TWA) fee programs, and is responsible for all permit data management.

The BPM has gained additional staff through internal transfers to perform TWA administrative reviews, issue TWAs for industrial projects, and process permits under the expedited TWA program. For information on submittal of TWAs, please call the BPM at (609) 984-4429.

Watershed Permitting Element (WPE)

The Assistant Director for WPE Permitting oversees four bureaus issuing NJPDES surface and ground water discharge permits for wastewater (including residuals) and stormwater from various types of facilities and operations: the Bureau of Point Source Permitting Region 1, the Bureau of Point Source Permitting Region 2, the Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals, and the Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control. The functions of these bureaus have not changed. However, additional staff reassigned to the bureau will help speed the issuance of NJPDES permits.

Municipal Finance and Construction Element (MFCE)

The Assistant Director for the MFCE now oversees three bureaus responsible for ensuring funded projects meet financing program requirements. The Element also administers the TWA technical review and CSO Control programs. MFCE bureaus include the Bureau of Financing and Construction Permits, the Bureau of Program Development and Technical Services, and the Bureau of Administration and Management.

The Bureau of Financing and Construction Permits (609-984-6840) has been created to consolidate the design, CSO, Sewer Ban and TWA functions of the former Bureaus of Engineering North and Engineering South. It also assists project sponsors in the preplanning, planning and design phases of each funded project. However, once a loan document is issued, the Bureau of Administration and Management will manage the projects from construction initiation through close-out of the loan.

The Bureau of Program Development and Technical Services (609-292-3859) continues to perform environmental and cultural resource impact assessments for the planning and design of projects pursuing financing under programs administered by MFCE. It also continues to develop and finalize the Department's Annual Priority System, Intended Use Plan, Priority List and Response Documents for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF); prepares the CWSRF Capitalization Grant application; coordinates with EPA in grant negotiations; and manages the financing program's rules. It will continue to work with local government units in providing low cost loans for open space land acquisition and conservation.

The Bureau of Administration and Management (609-633-1208) continues its responsibilities of maintaining a continuous cash flow for loan recipients by reviewing and processing interim and final payment requests, conducting interim and final accounting system reviews, and assisting the loan recipients in financial management. It is also responsible for maintaining and updating EPA's computer tracking system for federally-funded projects and for submitting the Clean Water Needs Survey. Since the construction unit functions performed by the former Bureaus of Engineering North and Engineering South have been transferred to this bureau, it will manage the projects from construction initiation through loan close-out.

If you have any questions concerning the division's reorganization, please contact the Director's Office at (609) 292-4543.

Treatment Works Approval Program Relocates Administrative Unit

The Division of Water Quality' reorganization resulted in the relocation of the Treatment Works Approval program administrative unit. To contact the administrative unit, or to submit Treatment Works Approval or General Industrial Treatment Works Approvals applications, please update your records with the following new address and telephone number:

Attn: TWA Administrative Unit
Division of Water Quality
Bureau of Permit Management
401 East State Street, 3rd Floor East
PO Box 029
Trenton, NJ 08625-0029

Telephone (609) 984-4429
Fax (609) 777-0432