Skip to main content

ICIS-NPDES Biosolids Facility Data Download Summary

The Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website incorporates biosolids program data submitted by NPDES Biosolids Program permit holders to the states or EPA via the US EPA Central Data Exchange (CDX). The data download reflects compliance information about facilities in the biosolids program. Biosolids data submitted electronically through NetBiosolids after March 31, 2018 are available through the Biosolids Annual Report Search. See Biosolids Laws and Regulations for information about biosolids regulations.


Source Data Description

The data are stored in the EPA Office of Enforcement Compliance Assurance, Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS), where they are extracted by ECHO. The data downloads are comprised of five comma-separated values (CSV) files with data about facilities in and compliance with the NPDES Biosolids Program. 

The universe of NPDES Biosolids facilities in ECHO includes permits where the:

  • NPDES ID has a Biosolids permit component,
  • NPDES ID has an "L" as the third character,
  • NPDES ID has a Biosolids violation,
  • NPDES ID has a Biosolids official or unofficial inspection, or
  • NPDES ID has a Biosolids formal or informal enforcement action.

Top of Page

ICIS-NPDES Biosolids Data Elements

Note: Primary keys for each table are indicated by asterisks (*).

NPDES Biosolids Permits (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_PERMITS.csv)

Element Name Data Type Size (Byte)
NPDES_ID* VarChar2 30
REGISTRY_ID Number  
CWP_NAME VarChar2 100
CWP_STREET VarChar2 100
CWP_CITY VarChar2 100
CWP_STATE VarChar2 3
CWP_ZIP VarChar2 10
CWP_COUNTY VarChar2 10
CWP_EPA_REGION Number  
CWP_INDIAN_CNTRY_FLG VarChar2 3
CWP_TRIBAL_LAND_CODE VarChar2 3
CWP_VERSION_NMBR Number  
CWP_PERMIT_STATUS_CODE VarChar2 3
CWP_PERMIT_STATUS_DESC VarChar2 100
CWP_PERMIT_TYPE_CODE VarChar2 3
CWP_PERMIT_TYPE_DESC VarChar2 100
CWP_EXPIRATION_DATE Date  
CWP_FACILITY_TYPE_INDICATOR VarChar2 5
CWP_MAJOR_MINOR_STATUS_FLAG VarChar2 3
MASTER_EXTERNAL_PERMIT_NMBR VarChar2 30
ISSUING_AGENCY VarChar2 5
CWP_ISSUE_DATE Date  
CWP_EFFECTIVE_DATE Date  
CWP_TERMINATION_DATE Date  
PERMIT_COMPONENTS VarChar2 30
BIOSOLIDS_FLAG VarChar2 1

NPDES Biosolids Single Event Violations (SEVs) (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_SEV_VIOLATIONS.csv)

Element Name Data Type Size (Byte)
SOURCE_ID* VarChar2 30
EPA_SYSTEM VarChar2 10
VIOLATION_DESC VarChar2 100
NPDES_VIOLATION_ID* Number  
REGISTRY_ID VarChar2 50
QTR1_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR1_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR2_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR2_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR3_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR3_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR4_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR4_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR5_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR5_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR6_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR6_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR7_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR7_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR8_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR8_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR9_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR9_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR10_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR10_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR11_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR11_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR12_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR12_VALUE VarChar2 30
QTR13_STATUS VarChar2 30
QTR13_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH1_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH1_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH2_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH2_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH3_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH3_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH4_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH4_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH5_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH5_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH6_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH6_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH7_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH7_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH8_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH8_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH9_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH9_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH10_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH10_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH11_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH11_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH12_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH12_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH13_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH13_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH14_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH14_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH15_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH15_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH16_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH16_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH17_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH17_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH18_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH18_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH19_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH19_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH20_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH20_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH21_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH21_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH22_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH22_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH23_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH23_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH24_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH24_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH25_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH25_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH26_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH26_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH27_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH27_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH28_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH28_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH29_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH29_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH30_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH30_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH31_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH31_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH32_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH32_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH33_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH33_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH34_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH34_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH35_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH35_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH36_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH36_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH37_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH37_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH38_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH38_VALUE VarChar2 30
MNTH39_STATUS VarChar2 30
MNTH39_VALUE VarChar2 30
AGENCY VarChar2 6
VIOLATION_CODE VarChar2 5
TOTAL_QTRS_VIO Number  
TOTAL_MNTHS_VIO Number  
VIOLATION_TYPE VarChar2 50

NPDES Biosolids Inspections (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_INSPECTIONS.csv)

Element Name Data Type Size (Byte)
REGISTRY_ID VarChar2 30
NPDES_ID* VarChar2 30
ACTIVITY_ID* Number  
ACTIVITY_TYPE_CODE VarChar2 3
ACTUAL_BEGIN_DATE Date  
ACTUAL_END_DATE Date  
STATE_EPA_FLAG VarChar2 1
REGION_CODE VarChar2 2
ACTIVITY_STATUS_CODE VarChar2 3
COMP_MONITOR_CATEGORY_CODE VarChar2 3
OBSERVED_DEFICIENCY_FLAG VarChar2 1
COMP_MONITOR_TYPE_CODE VarChar2 3
COMP_MONITOR_TYPE_DESC VarChar2 1000
CMS_FLAG Char 1
COMP_MONITOR_ID VarChar2 28
ACTIVITY_TYPE_DESC VarChar2 100

NPDES Biosolids Informal Enforcement Actions (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_INFML_ENF_ACTIONS.csv)

Element Name Data Type Size (Byte)
OBJECTID Number 38
NPDES_ID* VarChar2 30
REGISTRY_ID VarChar2 30
ACTIVITY_ID* Number  
AGENCY VarChar2 5
REGION_CODE Char 2
ACTIVITY_TYPE_CODE VarChar2 3
ENF_TYPE_CODE VarChar2 7
ENF_TYPE_DESC VarChar2 100
ACHIEVED_DATE Date  
ENF_IDENTIFIER VarChar2 25
OFFICIAL_FLG Char 1

NPDES Biosolids Formal Enforcement Actions (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_FORMAL_ACTIONS.csv)

Element Name Data Type Size (Byte)
OBJECTID Number 38
NPDES_ID* VarChar2 30
ACTIVITY_ID* Number 6
STATUTE_CODE VarChar2 15
LAW_SECTION_CODE VarChar2 100
CASE_NAME VarChar2 25
CASE_ID VarChar2 100
CASE_TYPE VarChar2 4000
ENF_SUMMARY_TEXT VarChar2 100
ACTIVITY_NAME VarChar2 2
REGION_CODE VarChar2 5
LEAD_AGENCY Date  
ISSUE_DATE VarChar2 12
REGISTRY_ID Date  
SETTLEMENT_DATE Number  
STATE_LOCAL_PENALTY_AMT Number  
FED_PENALTY_ASSESSED_AMT Number  
SEP_COST_AMT Number  
INJUNCTIVE_RELIEF Number  
NUMBER_SETTLEMENTS Number  
COST_RECOVERY_AMT Number  
ACTIVITY_TYPE_CODE VarChar2 3


Top of Page


Data Element Definitions

ACHIEVED_DATE
The date of the notice of violation or informal enforcement.
ACTIVITY_ID
An internal numeric key identifier used to uniquely identify enforcement case activities.
ACTIVITY_NAME
The user-created name for an activity.
ACTIVITY_STATUS_CODE
The unique code that identifies the current status of an activity.
ACTIVITY_TYPE_CODE
A three-character code that identifies the type of ICIS activity, which includes general categories such as information requests, inspections, compliance determinations, and enforcement. Activities for formal enforcement actions are limits to two type codes: administrative – formal (AFR) and judicial activities (JDC).
ACTIVITY_TYPE_DESC
Value for ACTIVITY_TYPE_CODE (Activity Type Code).
ACTUAL_BEGIN_DATE
The date on which the facility started the compliance monitoring activity. Date format is MM/DD/YYYY.
ACTUAL_END_DATE
The date on which the facility completed the compliance monitoring activity. Date format is MM/DD/YYYY.
AGENCY
Identifies the agency lead (EPA) for the listed enforcement action.
BIOSOLIDS_FLAG
Y/N field to indicate permits with biosolids program information. Only permits with BIOSOLIDS_FLAG = Y are included in this data download. The universe of NPDES Biosolids Facilities in ECHO includes permits with a biosolids permit component, NPDES IDs with a “L” in the third position of the NPDES ID, NPDES ID has a Biosolids violation, NPDES ID has a Biosolids official or unofficial inspection, or NPDES ID has a Biosolids formal or informal enforcement action.
CASE_ID
 Values typically begin with either two characters (EPA region number, "HQ" (headquarters), “EF” (CAA Eastern Field Office), or “WF” (CAA Western Field Office), followed by the four digit fiscal year in which the action was initiated, followed by a four character sequence identifier. State CASE_ID values do not follow any set format.
CASE_NAME
An alphanumeric field that contains the name assigned to the case by the lead attorney. Generally, the primary defendant's name is used as the case name.
CASE_TYPE
Case types include the following:
  • Judicial Cases – Displays the number of Judicial cases within the search results. Judicial cases are formal lawsuits, typically filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of EPA.
  • Administrative Formal Cases – Displays the number of Administrative Formal cases within the search results. Administrative formal cases are produced by EPA or a state under its authority, and do not involve a judicial court process.
  • Cases with Federal Penalties – Displays the number of civil cases with federal penalty(ies) assessed greater than $0.
  • Cases with Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) – Displays the number of civil cases with an SEP amount greater than $0.
CMS_FLAG
Displays "Y" if the facility has a compliance monitoring strategy in place. Displays "N" if the facility does not have a compliance monitoring strategy in place. 
COMP_MONITOR_CATEGORY_CODE
Unique code for the compliance monitoring category.
COMP_MONITOR_ID
The unique identifier for the compliance monitoring activity. 
COMP_MONITOR_TYPE_CODE
Contains a code describing the type of inspection that was conducted.
COMP_MONITOR_TYPE_DESC
Full text description of COMP_MONITOR_TYPE_CODE.
COST_RECOVERY_AMT
For civil enforcement actions, cost recovery is the amount of cost recovery ordered or agreed to be repaid by the responsible party of parties.
CWP_CITY
The name of the city in which the facility is located.
CWP_COUNTY
The name of the county in which the facility is located.
CWP_EFFECTIVE_DATE
The date the permit became effective or is scheduled to become effective (MM/DD/YYYY).
CWP_EPA_REGION
The EPA region where the facility is located. EPA has 10 regional offices that execute programs within several states and territories.
CWP_EXPIRATION_DATE
The date the permit expired or is scheduled to expire (MM/DD/YYYY).
CWP_FACILITY_TYPE_INDICATOR
A code indicating the facility as either a POTW, non-POTW, or federal entity.
CWP_INDIAN_CNTRY_FLG
Displays “Y” if a facility is flagged as being located in Indian Country, based on information from the EPA's Facility Registry Service (FRS).
CWP_ISSUE_DATE
The date the permit was issued (MM/DD/YYYY).
CWP_MAJOR_MINOR_STATUS_FLAG
A 1-character code that designates the facility as a major discharger (M) or non-major discharger (N).
CWP_NAME
The name of the facility on the permit.
CWP_PERMIT_STATUS_CODE
The code indicating the current status of the permit. ICIS-NPDES designates a permit as Effective (EFF), Administratively Continued (ADC), Expired (EXP), Not Needed (NON), Pending (PND), Retired (RET), or Terminated (TRM).
CWP_PERMIT_STATUS_DESC
The description of CWP_PERMIT_STATUS_CODE.
CWP_PERMIT_TYPE_CODE
The unique code identifying the type of permit.
Code Description
APR Associated Permit Record
GPC General Permit Covered Facility
IIU Individual IU Permit (Non-NPDES)
NGP NPDES Master General Permit
NPD NPDES Individual Permit
SIN Individual State Issued Permit (Non-NPDES)
SNN State Issued Master General Permit (Non-NPDES)
UFT Unpermitted Facility
CWP_PERMIT_TYPE_DESC
The description of CWP_PERMIT_TYPE_CODE.
CWP_STATE
A two-character field that contains the state postal abbreviation for the state in which the facility is located.
CWP_STREET
The street address for the facility.
CWP_TERMINATION_DATE
The date the permit was terminated (MM/DD/YYYY).
CWP_TRIBAL_LAND_CODE
Displays “Y” if a facility is flagged as being located in Indian Country, based on information from the EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS).
CWP_VERSION_NMBR
The version of the permit when a modification or reissuance is applied to the permit.
CWP_ZIP
A 5- to 9-character field that contains the U.S. Postal Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code for the area in which the facility is located.
ENF_IDENTIFIER
The unique identifying number of the Enforcement Action as referred to by the Court where the action was filed; the Enforcement Action Identifier. This element is commonly referred to as the case number.
ENF_SUMMARY_TEXT
Free text intended to capture additional description of the enforcement action taken. 
ENF_TYPE_CODE
A code describing which enforcement action was taken in response to a violation.
ENF_TYPE_DESC
A text description of the ENF_TYPE_CODE value.
EPA_SYSTEM
The EPA data system associated with the violation. 
FED_PENALTY_ASSESSED_AMT
The dollar amount of federal civil penalties assessed or agreed to at a formal enforcement action. Where the enforcement case results in multiple settlements, this represents the sum of penalty amounts for all of the settlements.
INJUNCTIVE_RELIEF
The settlement-level sum of the dollar values of injunctive relief. Injunctive relief represents the actions a regulated entity is ordered to undertake to achieve and maintain compliance, such as installing a new pollution control device to reduce air pollution, or preventing emissions of a pollutant in the first place.    
ISSUING_AGENCY
The name of the organization issuing or granting a permit.
ISSUE_DATE
The date the action was issued (MM/DD/YYYY).
LAW_SECTION_CODE
The unique code identifying the law sections cited in the case. 
LEAD_AGENCY
Identifies the lead agency (e.g., EPA, State) issuing the enforcement action.
MASTER_EXTERNAL_PERMIT_NMBR
 The unique identifier for the Master General Permit for a General Permit Covered Facility.
MNTH_STATUS (1-39)
Indicates the compliance history for the violation during a month. For more information, view the Detailed Facility Report Data Dictionary for CWA/NPDES Compliance Status
MNTH_VALUE (1-39)
Indicates the duration of the violation during a month, typically the start and end dates of the violation. Arrows indicate the violation continued during the time period. For more information, view the Detailed Facility Report Data Dictionary for CWA/NPDES Compliance Status
NPDES_ID
A unique 9-character ID assigned for each permit within the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The ID may contain both letters and numbers and often begins with the two-letter abbreviation for the state in which the facility is permitted.
NPDES_VIOLATION_ID
The unique identifier for the violation related to a particular permit.
NUMBER_SETTLEMENTS
For civil enforcement actions, the number of settlements associated with the case. Most enforcement actions tend to follow a one-case, one-settlement scenario. However, and in particular with judicial actions involving multiple defendants, more than one settlement may result.
OBJECTID
The unique identifier for the table row.
OBSERVED_DEFICIENCY_FLAG
Displays "Y" if a Biosolids deficiency was found during an inspection. Displays "N" if no Biosolids deficiency was found during an inspection. 
OFFICIAL_FLG
Displays "Y" if the action is an official enforcement action. Displays "N" if the action is not official and not included in ECHO facility searches or results. 
PERMIT_COMPONENTS
The permit component(s) associated with the NPDES Permit Program Area.
QTR_STATUS (1-13)
Indicates the compliance history of the violation for the quarter. For more information, view the Detailed Facility Report Data Dictionary for CWA/NPDES Compliance Status
QTR_VALUE (1-13)
Indicates the duration of the violation during a quarter, typically the start and end dates of the violation. Arrows indicate the violation continued during the time period. For more information, view the Detailed Facility Report Data Dictionary for CWA/NPDES Compliance Status
REGION_CODE
The two digit code that represents an EPA region, the EPA designated area that U.S. States, territories, and tribes are assigned to. There are 10 EPA regions.
REGISTRY_ID
The number assigned by the Facility Registry Service (FRS) that is used to associate facility records from multiple environmental database systems that were known or believed to represent the same facility (a.k.a. EPA ID Number, FRS ID).
SEP_COST_AMT
For civil enforcement actions, the total value of all SEPs for all settlements at the enforcement case.
SETTLEMENT_DATE
For federal judicial actions, this is the date the settlement document is signed by the presiding judge and entered by the Clerk of the Court. At that point, the settlement becomes a binding court order. For administrative actions, this is the date that the final order is signed and issued by the enforcement authority.
SOURCE_ID
A unique 9-character ID assigned for each permit within the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, also known as a NPDES_ID. The ID may contain both letters and numbers and often begins with the two-letter abbreviation for the state in which the facility is permitted.
STATE_EPA_FLAG
Identifies the agency lead (S = State, E = EPA) for the listed inspection.
STATE_LOCAL_PENALTY_AMT
The total dollar penalty amount from all settlements to be paid to a state or local enforcement authority that is party to a concluded enforcement action.
STATUTE_CODE
Identifies the primary statute violated and cited in the enforcement action. 
TOTAL_MNTHS_VIO
Indicates the total number of months in noncompliance for the violation record in the table. 
TOTAL_QTRS_VIO
Indicates the total number of quarters in noncompliance for the violation record in the table. 
VIOLATION_CODE
Violation code describing both automatically and manually detected violations.
VIOLATION_DESC
Text description of the VIOLATION_CODE.
VIOLATION_TYPE
Indicates whether the single event violation was identified from an annual report or the result of compliance monitoring. 

Top of Page