MPCA Water Quality Permit Fees
Minnesota businesses, organizations and municipalities (or those producing domestic waste) that hold MPCA water quality wastewater permits are charged two basic types of permit fees: application fees and annual fees.
- Application fees, are determined based on a point system. Points are assigned to a permit action in accordance with specific activities that are required as part of the application process. A dollar per point value is then used to determine the actual fee amount. Points are assigned in two categories: application points and additional points
- Application points are assigned based on the type of permit action and the type of work necessary to complete the permit action.
- Additional points are assigned to permit actions based on the size of the project and as a result of additional activities that are necessary based on a specific flow volume
- Annual fees, are billed to permit holders each year. The amount of the fee depends upon the type of permit and flow capacity of the facility.
The statutory basis for application and annual fees is found in Minn. Stat. 116.07, subd. 4d. Basic permit fee requirements can be found in Minn. Rules Ch. 7002. 
Application Fees
Application points fees reflect the level of effort requirement to process the different types of permit applications and develop a permit that complies with applicable regulations. Application points fees must be submitted with the application.
Table 1. Water Quality Wastewater Permit Application Points Fees
|
Facility Type |
Application Points (1 Point=$310) |
|---|---|
|
Transfer/Name Change |
0 |
|
Permit Termination |
0 |
|
Sewer Extension, Flow Increase of 0 to 0.10 million gallons per day (mgd) |
1 |
|
Sewer Extension, Flow Increase Greater than 0.10 to 1.0 mgd |
2 |
|
Sewer Extensions, Flow Increase Greater than 1.0 mgd |
3 |
|
General Permit Coverage |
4 |
|
General Permit Modification |
4 |
|
Individual Permit Reissuance |
4 |
|
Individual Permit Minor Modification |
4 |
|
Individual Permit major Modification (no construction |
8 |
|
Individual Permit Major Modification, Construction, No Increased Design Flow |
8 |
|
Individual Pretreatment Permit |
8 |
|
Individual Dredge Permit |
8 |
|
Individual Permit Major Modification, Construction, Increased Design Flow |
30 |
|
Individual Wastewater Permit Issuance |
30 |
|
Individual Biosolids Treatment or Storage Permit Issuance |
30 |
Additional Points Application Fees. Additional points application fees for specific permit actions reflect the additional work effort needed to accomplish specific reviews. The fees will be billed to the applicant at the time the permit is placed on public notice. The additional points application fees must be paid before the permit will be issued, reissued or modified.
Table 2. Water Quality Wastewater Permit Application Additional Points Fees
|
Additional Required Application Work |
|---|
|
Individual Permit New or Increased Maximum Daily or Average Wet Weather Design Flow (Not applicable to non-contact cooling water discharges and not due to mine pit or quarry de-watering or sewer extensions):
|
|
Individual Permit with Noncontact Cooling Water Discharge New or Increased Flow
|
|
Antidegradation Review required under Minn. R. 7050.0180, 7050.0185, 7050.0186 or 7052.0300 to 7052.0330 (20 points) |
|
Variance Request under Minn. R. 7000.7000 or 7020.1900 (20 points) |
|
Confidentiality Request under Minn. R. 7000.1300 (applicable any time request is made) (2 points) |
|
Mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) under Minn. R. 4410.4300 where MPCA is the responsible government unit. (If applicable to both AQ and WQ, check with AQ to verify cost. Permittee to pay lower of the two fees.)
|
Annual Fees
Like application fees, annual fees vary and are dependent upon the type of permit. Annual fees can also depend on the design flow or design capacity for the different types of wastewater treatment facilities.
Table 3. Water Quality Wastewater Permit Annual Fees
|
Major/Non |
Facility Type |
Design Flow |
Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
General |
Generals (not including Stormwater General) |
N/A |
$345.00 |
|
Major |
Municipal |
50+ MGD |
$175,500.00 |
|
Major |
Municipal |
20 - 49.99 MGD |
$40,350.00 |
|
Major |
Municipal |
5 - 19.99 MGD |
$14,350.00 |
|
Major |
Municipal |
Up to 4.99 MGD |
$5,900.00 |
|
Major |
Industrial |
20 - 49.99 MGD |
$44,200.00 |
|
Major |
Industrial |
5 - 19.99 MGD |
$18,250.00 |
|
Major |
Industrial |
Up to 4.99 MGD |
$8,450.00 |
|
Major |
Industrial - Cooling/Mine Pit Dewatering |
Any flow |
$16,900.00 |
|
Nonmajor |
Municipal |
> 100,000 GD |
$1,450.00 |
|
Nonmajor |
Municipal |
0 - 100,000 GD |
$505.00 |
|
Nonmajor |
Municipal - Sewage sludge/Landspread only |
N/A |
$500 |
|
Nonmajor |
Industrial |
N/A |
$1,230.00 |
|
Nonmajor |
Non-municipal Sewage |
0 - 100,000 GD |
$495.00 |
|
Nonmajor |
Non-municipal Sewage |
> 100,000 GD |
$1,230.00 |
Helpful Links
The following links provide additional information regarding the Minnesota Water Quality Permitting Program.
- Minnesota Rule 7002
- Water Quality Permit Application and Miscellaneous Forms
- Wastewater
- Stormwater Program
- Feedlot Program
For More Information or Questions
Understanding what fee must be submitted with your permit applications, or how your annual fee bill was derived can be confusing and frustrating. If you have questions about which application fees apply to you, your permit application or the purpose of the fees or annual fee bill, please contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300, or toll free at 1-800-657-3864.
