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This Advocacy Alert encourages members to use EPA’s Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) pollutant loading tool to check for any inaccurate data associated with their facilities. Due to limited resources, EPA and the states are relying on the tool’s users to report data errors. Please contact Brenna Mannion at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any feedback.

As the clean water community has known for some time, there have consistently been data errors in EPA’s various online databases and information systems, including the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) tool, which NACWA has previously raised concerns over with EPA. A relatively new online resource, EPA’s DMR pollutant loading tool, contains information on Clean Water Act permittees and allows users to calculate total pollutant loads based on monitoring data. NACWA was recently made aware that publicly owned treatment work (POTW) mercury discharges are being reported via the DMR pollutant loading tool at levels nearly 20 times what studies, including work by NACWA, estimate. We strongly encourage NACWA members to verify the accuracy of all the information for their facilities in the DMR tool and the generated reports.

Using the DMR Tool to Verify Data

The pollutant loading tool makes the search process simple. One option is to use the EPA EZ-Search which searches POTW records based on a user-selected general location, pollutant or Chemical Abstract Service Number (CAS), and “POTW”. However, for a particular utility/facility to back-check their entire DMR tool record, it is easier to use the Facility Search option which provides a downloadable report with all the DMR data after simply entering the NPDES Permit ID.

Correcting Errors in the Database

As far as NACWA is aware, EPA’s Integrated Error Correction Process is not currently enabled, so we suggest contacting EPA HQ directly. If you find any errors in your facility’s DMR information, please include the metadata bulleted below, including, of course, the correction requested, in an email to Carey Johnston (U.S. EPA, Office of Compliance at 202-566-1014 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). He will then send them directly to the appropriate Region and state water data stewards for correction.

Metadata:

• NPDES ID
• Pollutant Parameter (Including Parameter Code)
• Outfall No.
• Monitoring Period End Date
• Value
• Units
• Measurement Type (e.g., Average Quantity, Max Quantity, Min. Conc., Average Conc., Max. Conc.)
• Reason Identified

Please let NACWA know if you find significant data errors. Any feedback will inform NACWA’s efforts to engage with EPA on the DMR reporting tool and the Agency’s proposed NPDES e-Reporting rule. Contact Brenna Mannion at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or with data inconsistencies.