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
• ICIS-NPDES Biosolids Data Elements
• Data Element Definitions

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.

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ICIS-NPDES Biosolids Data Elements

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

NPDES Biosolids Permits (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_PERMITS.csv)

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

NPDES Biosolids Inspections (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_INSPECTIONS.csv)

NPDES Biosolids Informal Enforcement Actions (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_INFML_ENF_ACTIONS.csv)

NPDES Biosolids Formal Enforcement Actions (NPDES_BIOSOLIDS_FORMAL_ACTIONS.csv)

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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.