Division of Surface Water

The Division of Surface Water ensures compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and works to increase the number of water bodies that can safely be used for swimming and fishing. We issue permits to regulate wastewater treatment plants, factories and storm water to reduce the impact of pollutants. We develop comprehensive watershed plans aimed at improving polluted streams. We sample streams, lakes and wetlands, including fish, aquatic insects and plants, to determine the health of Ohio’s surface waters.

 

 

Quick Links

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How to Report a Sanitary Sewer Overflow

Wastewater facilities must report non-compliance due to any unanticipated bypass or upset resulting in an exceedance of any effluent limit. Please refer to the non-compliance notification fact sheet and associated forms for more information.

Documents Available For Comment

 Document

Comments Due

DSW Rulemakings - Interested Party Review for Wetland Antidegradation Rule OAC 3745-1-54
May 17, 2013
Draft Ottawa River (Lima Area) Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report
May 20, 2013
DSW Rulemakings - Interested Party Review for Water Quality Standards Rules OAC Chapter 3745-1
Extended to June 3, 2013
DSW Rulemakings - Early Stakeholder Outreach for Nutrients May 22, 2013
DSW Rulemakings - Early Stakeholder Outreach for Connection Ban Rules in OAC Chapter 3745-11
May 23, 2013
Applications for 401 Water Quality Certification and/or Isolated Wetland Permit Varies
   

 Training Events

  • The City of Columbus is hosting Credible Data Program QHEI Level 2 and Fish IBI Level 3 & QHEI Level 2  training events in June.  Go here for more information.

Announcements

May 14, 2013

April 23, 2013

  • The early stakeholder outreach comment period on the Connection Ban rules in OAC Chapter 3745-11 has begun.  Go here for additional information.  The comment deadline is May 23, 2013.

April 19, 2013

  • Draft Water Quality Standards rules in OAC Chapter 3745-1 are available for interested party review and comment.  Go here for additional information. The comment deadline is May 20, 2013.

April 17, 2013

  • Draft Wetland Antidegradation rule OAC 3745-1-54 is available for interested party review and comment.  Go here for additional information.  The comment deadline is May 17, 2013.

April 15, 2013

April 8, 2013

  • Proposed Storm Water Program rule OAC 3754-39-04 is available for review and comment.  Go here for additional information.  The comment deadline is May 14, 2013.
  • The Agency final filed NPDES & Pretreatment Program rules OAC 3745-33-04 and 3745-36-03 on April 8, 2013.  Go here for additional information.

March 21, 2013

  • Early Stakeholder Outreach fact sheet for Nutrients is available for review and comment until May 22, 2013.  Go here for more information.

March 8, 2013

February 20, 2013

  • Draft Storm Water Program rule OAC 3745-39-04 is available for review and comment until March 6, 2013.  Go here for additional information.

January 23, 2013

  • FFY2014 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Section 319 Grants - Application Deadline is May 31, 2013.  Go here for additional information. 

January 22, 2013

January 9, 2013

  • The Water Quality Standards Program rule OAC 3745-1-54, Wetland Antidegradation is available for Early Stakeholder Outreach review and comment until February 8, 2013.  Go here for additional information.

January 8, 2013

  • The Water Quality Standards Program rule OAC 3745-1-21, Great Miami River Use Designations is available for Early Stakeholder Outreach review and comment until January 29, 2013.  Go here for additional information.

January 7, 2013

October 31, 2012

October 11, 2012

  • Amendments to the Water Quality Trading Program rules in OAC Chapter 3745-5 were adopted.  Go here for additional information.

Division of Surface Water Mission Statement

The division's mission is to protect, enhance and restore all waters of the state for the health, safety and welfare of present and future generations. We accomplish this mission by monitoring the aquatic environment, permitting, enforcing environmental laws, using and refining scientifically sound methods and regulations, planning, coordinating, educating, providing technical assistance and encouraging pollution prevention practices.

Who We Are

Ohio is a water-rich state with more than 25,000 miles of streams and rivers, a 451-mile border on the Ohio River, more than 5,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs (>1 acre), and 236 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Ohio has 10 scenic rivers comprising more than 629 river miles, the fourth largest total of any state in the nation.

The Division of Surface Water is responsible for restoring and maintaining the quality of Ohio's rivers and streams. The goal of Ohio's surface water program -- restoration and maintenance of Ohio's water resources -- reflects the national water quality objective in the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), which is "to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. The CWA objective is often referred to as the "fishable/swimmable goal."

The fishable/swimmable goal is different from the popular idea of clean water as being water that is chemically pure. Instead, fishable/swimmable waters are resources that support stable, balanced populations of aquatic organisms which are ecologically "healthy," and provide safe water to the people of Ohio for public and industrial water supplies and recreation.

The Division of Surface Water has a full time staff of approximately 240 located in Columbus and the five district offices. The division also employs approximately 50 interns during the summer to assist with biological and chemical water quality surveys. Funding for the division is comprised of federal and state monies as well as annual discharge fees.

The Tools We Use

The Division of Surface Water utilizes many tools in working to achieve its goals:


  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are issued to municipal and industrial wastewater and stormwater dischargers. Ohio has over 4,000 regulated facilities.

  • Permits-to-Install (PTI) are issued for construction of new or expanded wastewater facilities and sewers and for the disposal of sludge from wastewater treatment facilities. Over 2,000 PTIs are issued annually.

  • Indirect Discharge Permits are issued to discharges of industrial wastewater into public sewer systems.

  • Section 401 Water Quality Certifications are issued for the discharge of dredge and fill material to waters of the state.

  • Testing is conducted and certification is awarded to operators of water and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure baseline proficiency in various aspects of drinking water treatment and distribution and wastewater collection and treatment.

  • Operator assistance is provided to small community wastewater treatment plants experiencing compliance problems.

  • Pass-through funds for nonpoint source demonstration projects are provided.

    • The pretreatment program is a partnership among USEPA, Ohio EPA and local communities for controlling the discharge of industrial wastewater into public sewer systems.

    • Lake Erie Remedial Action Plans (RAPs), which promote community based decision making for the correction of water quality concerns, are coordinated by the division.

    • Programmatic technical support is provided to the Division of Drinking and Ground Water and Division of Emergency and Remedial Response.

    • The division works together with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to implement the nonpoint source and wetlands programs.

    • Biological and chemical water quality monitoring is conducted to assess quality of Ohio's lakes and streams.

    • Sampling of wastewater discharges is performed to monitor compliance with permit limits.

    • Inspections at regulated facilities are performed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

    • Water quality standards for Ohio are developed.

    • The Division has begun the process of shifting away from a traditional programmatic way of thinking (enforcement, permits, nonpoint planning, etc.) toward an ecosystem based approach. This approach, focusing on watersheds, will facilitate the creation of partnerships with local government and the general public resulting in community-based environmental management.

    • The Lake Erie Lakewide Area Management Plan (LaMP), which incorporates an ecosystem approach to the protection of Lake Erie and considerable public involvement, is coordinated by the division.

     

    DSW Contacts

    Central Office

    Main Number: (614) 644-2001
    Fax Number: (614) 644-2745
    Mailing Address: Lazarus Government Center, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049
    Shipping Address: Lazarus Government Center, 50 West Town Street, Suite 700, Columbus, OH 43215

    Map and Directions

    Comments or questions on DSW's web pages: DSW Webmaster (614) 644-2001

     

     Elmaraghy, George
    		 Division Chief (614) 644-2041
     Hall, Brian  Assistant Chief (614) 644-2033
     Barnett, Marie
    		  Administrative Assistant
    		 (614) 644-2139
     Ward, Ashley  Technical Program Support (614) 644-4852
     Harris, Melinda
    		  Division Rules Coordinator
    		 (614) 728-1357
         
     
    DeShon, Jeff Manager (614) 836-8780
    Tucker, Holly Supervisor (614) 836-8777
    Adams, Sarah
    		Ecological Assessment, Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment, TSD Coordination   (614) 836-8813
    Alsdorf, Brian Ecological Assessment, Fish Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8770
    Bolton, Michael Ecological Assessment, Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8781
    Boucher, Chuck Ecological Assessment, Fish Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8776
    Dripps, Angela Ecological Assessment, Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8798
    Hughes, Laura
    		Ecological Assessment, Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment, TSD Coordination   (614) 836-8783
    McKnight, Chuck Ecological Assessment, Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8784
    Miltner, Bob Ecological Assessment, Fish Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8796
    Mishne, Dennis Biological and Habitat Data Management (614) 836-8775
    Moore, Ed Ecological Assessment, Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8785
    Phillips, Andrew
    		Ecological Assessment, Fish Community Assessment, TSD Coordination  (614) 836-8773
    Rich, Ben Ecological Assessment, Fish Community Assessment, TSD Coordination (614) 836-8772
         
    Mann, Mark Manager (614) 644-2023
    Reeder, Larry Supervisor (614) 728-2043
    DeMuth, Rachel Enforcement (614) 644-2010
    Schuch, Brittany Enforcement (614) 644-3468
         
    Martin, Jennifer Manager (614) 644-2867
    Conley, Delores Fiscal Processing (614) 644-2017
    Pinckney, Lavaun
    		Fiscal Processing
    		(614) 644-2047
         
    Bowman, Chris Manager (614) 644-2052
    Dennis, Bonita Administrative Assistance (614) 644-2002
    Roberts, Jamie eDMR Administrator (614) 644-2054
    Gilbert, Shelby Permits Processing (614) 644-2883
    Peterson, Katrina Permits Processing (614) 644-2046
    Stiteler, Debbie Permits Processing (614) 644-2157
    Swindall, Ed Supervisor (614) 644-2031
    Jenkins, Lisa eDMR Processing (614) 644-2038
    Moore, Glynnda eDMR Processing (614) 644-2049
         
    Alexander, Cathy
    		 Manager
    		 (614) 644-2021
    Asasi, Mohammad
    		 Water Quality Modeling
    		 (614) 644-2882
    Becker, Sarah
    		 Water Quality Modeling
    		 (614) 644-2890
    Chipps, Curt
    		 Water Quality Modeling, Stream Flows, NPDES Limits
    		 (614) 644-2892
    Connon, James
    		 Water Quality Modeling
    		 (614) 644-4825
    Gledhill, Paul
    		 Water Quality Modeling
    		 (614) 644-2881
    Griffin, Josh
    		 Water Quality Modeling
    		 (614) 644-2874
    Orr, Keith Supervisor, Water Quality Modeling (614) 644-2885
    Selbe, Chris Water Quality Modeling, Stream Flows, NPDES Limits (614) 644-2889
    White, Dale Water Quality Modeling (614) 644-2159
         
    Gibson, Russ Manager (614) 644-2020
    Hodanbosi, Jo Grants Management (614) 644-2864
    Merchant-Masonbrink, Linda
    		Grants Processing, Harmful Algal Blooms, Inland Lakes
    		 (614) 644-2135
    Spurbeck, Martha Grants Administration (614) 644-2869
    Wilson, Rick Agriculture Nonpoint Source (614) 644-2032
         
    Novak, Paul
    		 Manager
    		 (614) 644-2035

    401 Water Quality Certification, Isolated Wetlands, Mitigation, Wetland Ecology
    Queen, Ric Section Manager (614) 644-2872
     Wetland Ecology Unit
    Gara, Brian
    		 Wetland Ecology, ORAM
    		 (614) 836-8787
    Mitigation Compliance Unit

    		Mitigation Compliance 
     401 Water Quality Certification and Isolated Wetland Permitting Unit
    Taulbee, Rachel Supervisor
    		(614) 644-2494
    Ciccone, Brianne
    		 Shale Gas & SEDO Projects
    		 (614) 644-2259
    Coleman, Art
    		 ODOT Projects Statewide
    		 (614) 644-2138
    Johnson, Mark
    		Coal Projects
    		(614) 644-2007

    Loew, Teagan

    		Coal Projects
         		(614) 644-2148
    Lung, Joni
    		 CO & SEDO Projects
    		 (614) 644-2152
    See, Michael
    		 SWDO Projects
    		 (614) 644-2327

    National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Pretreatment & Biosolids Programs
    Gill, Dan
    		 Supervisor, NPDES, Biosolids & Pretreatment
    		 (614) 644-2018
    Bachman, Andrew
    		Municipal and Industrial NPDES, HSTSs
    		(614) 644-2118
    Hise, Sara Industrial and Municipal NPDES, Coal Surface Mining General Permits
    		 (614) 644-4824
    Laake, Ryan Pretreatment, Indirect Discharge (614) 644-2134
    Nygaard, Eric Industrial NPDES, General Permits (614) 644-2024
    Ruza, Caitlin
    		Wet Weather, NPDES
    		(614) 644-2039
    Stuhlfauth, Gary Municipal NPDES, Mercury Variances, Water Quality Trading (614) 644-2026
    VanWormer, Betsy
    		 Biosolids, NPDES
    		(614) 644-2150
    Zale, Megan Municipal and Industrial NPDES (614) 644-2027

    Permit to Install Program & Compliance Assistance Unit
    Stump, Mark Supervisor, Antidegradation, HSTSs, HB 110 Program (614) 644-2028
    Bernstein, Jon CAFO NPDES, PTI
    		 (614) 728-2397
    vacant PTI, Operator Certification, Tax Certification and HSTSs
    		 
    Kroeger, Keith WWTP Technical Assistance (614) 836-8778
    Reverendo, Victor WWTP Technical Assistance (614) 728-2532
    Smith, Richard WWTP Technical Assistance (614) 728-2533
    Van Dommelen, Jon WWTP Technical Assistance (614) 644-2011

    Storm Water Section
    Mann, Mark Manager (614) 644-2023
    Fyffe, Jason Supervisor (614) 728-1793
    Joseph, Michael Construction/Industrial Permits, NOIs (614) 752-0782
    Robinson, Anthony MS4/Industrial Permits (614) 728-3392
         
    Dudley, Dan

    Manager, Section 208 Areawide Planning,Nutrients Strategy, WQS

    		 (614) 644-2876
    Estenik, John Toxics, Pesticides, Credible Data (614) 644-2866
    Farber, Natalie Section 208 Areawide Planning, Credible Data (614) 644-2143
    Schumacher, Bill GIS, Wetland Ecology, Wetland Soils (614) 644-2137
    vacant Human Health and Wildlife Criteria Standards, Fish Consumption Advisory, Fish Tissue Contamination, Sediment (614) 644-2001
    Skalski, Chris Aquatic Life Criteria Standards, Bacteria, PHWH, Use Designations, Water Quality Standards (614) 644-2144
         
    Mount, Trinka Supervisor (614) 644-2146
    Klei, Amy Jo Lake Erie, LaMP, GLRI Grants (614) 644-2871
    Risley, Beth TMDL Coordination, Integrated Report (614) 728-2384
    Sablak, Gregg TMDL Coordination (614) 644-4132