# Title 61 — Waters

## Chapter 61-28 — Control, Prevention, and Abatement of Pollution of Surface Waters

### § 61-28-01. Statement of policy.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of North Dakota to act in the public interest
to protect, maintain, and improve the quality of the waters in the state for continued use as
public and private water supplies, propagation of wildlife, fish and aquatic life, and for domestic,
agricultural, industrial, recreational, and other legitimate beneficial uses, to require necessary
and reasonable treatment of sewage, industrial, or other wastes and to cooperate with other
agencies in the state, agencies of other states, and the federal government in carrying out these
objectives.
### § 61-28-02. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Council" means the environmental review advisory council.
2. "Department" means the department of environmental quality.
3. "Discharge" means the addition of any waste to state waters from any point source.
4. "Disposal system" means a system for disposing of wastes, either by surface or
underground methods, and includes sewerage systems, treatment works, disposal
wells, and other systems.
5. "Person" includes any corporation, limited liability company, individual, partnership,
association, or other public or private entity, including any state or federal agency or
entity responsible for managing a state or federal facility, and includes any officer or
governing or managing body of any such entity.
6. "Point source" means any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including
any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock,
concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which
wastes are or may be discharged.
7. "Pollution" means the manmade or man-induced alteration of the physical, chemical,
biological, or radiological integrity of any waters of the state.
8. "Septage" means the liquid or solid material removed from septic systems, cesspools,
privies, chemical toilets, holding tanks, and similar devices that receive domestic
wastewater.
9. "Septic system" means a disposal system, and all of its components, used to receive,
treat, and dispose of domestic wastewater through microbiological decomposition and
soil absorption.
10. "Septic system servicer" means a person that engages in the business of servicing
septic systems, cesspools, privies, chemical toilets, holding tanks, and similar devices
that receive domestic wastewater.
11. "Service" or "servicing" means cleaning septic systems, cesspools, privies, chemical
toilets, holding tanks, and similar devices that receive domestic wastewater; removing
septage from these devices; transporting septage; or disposing septage by applying it
to land or otherwise.
12. "Sewerage system" means pipelines or conduits, pumping stations, and force mains,
and all other structures, devices, appurtenances, and facilities used for collecting or
conducting wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal.
13. "Treatment works" means any plant or other works used for the purpose of treating,
stabilizing, or holding wastes.
14. "Wastes" means all substances which cause or tend to cause pollution of any waters
of the state, including dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage,
garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radiological
materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, and cellar dirt and
industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution discharged into any waters of the state.
15. "Waters of the state" means all waters within the jurisdiction of this state, including all
streams, lakes, ponds, impounding reservoirs, marshes, watercourses, waterways,
and all other bodies or accumulations of water on or under the surface of the earth,

natural or artificial, public or private, situated wholly or partly within or bordering upon
the state, except those private waters that do not combine or effect a junction with
natural surface or underground waters just defined.
### § 61-28-03. State water pollution prevention agency - Board.

Repealed by S.L. 2017, ch. 199, § 74.
### § 61-28-04. Powers and duties.

The department shall have and may exercise the following powers and duties:
1. To exercise general supervision of the administration and enforcement of this chapter
and all rules and regulations and orders promulgated thereunder.
2. To develop comprehensive programs for the prevention, control, and abatement of
new or existing pollution of the waters of the state.
3. To advise, consult, and cooperate with other agencies of the state, the federal
government, other states and interstate agencies, and with affected groups, political
subdivisions, and industries in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
4. To accept and administer loans and grants from the federal government and from
other sources, public or private, for carrying out any of its functions, which loans and
grants shall not be expended for other than the purposes for which provided.
5. To encourage, participate in, or conduct studies, investigations, research, and
demonstrations relating to water pollution and causes, prevention, control, and
abatement thereof as it may deem advisable and necessary for the discharge of its
duties under this chapter.
6. To collect and disseminate information relating to water pollution and the prevention,
control, and abatement thereof.
7. To issue, modify, or revoke orders:
a. Prohibiting or abating discharges of wastes into the waters of the state.
b. Requiring the construction of new disposal systems or any parts thereof or the
modification, extension, or alteration of existing disposal systems or any parts
thereof, or the adoption of other remedial measures to prevent, control, or abate
pollution.
8. To hold such hearings, to issue notices of hearings and subpoenas requiring the
attendance of such witnesses and the production of such evidence, to administer such
oaths, and to take such testimony as the department deems necessary, and any of
these powers may be exercised on behalf of the department by any members thereof
or a hearing officer designated by it.
9. To require the prior submission of plans, specifications, and other data relative to, and
to inspect the construction of, disposal systems or any part thereof in connection with
the issuance of approvals as are required by this chapter.
10. To require proper maintenance and operation of disposal systems:
a. Have the power to require the owner or operator of any point source to:
(1) Establish and maintain records.
(2) Prepare and submit a report.
(3) Install, use, and maintain monitoring equipment or methods, including,
where appropriate, biological monitoring methods.
(4) Sample effluents.
(5) Provide such other information as the department may reasonably require.
b. Have the right of entry, upon or through any premises in which an effluent source
is located, or in which any records required to be maintained pursuant to
subdivision a are located. Such power may be exercised by authorized agents,
representatives, and employees of the department.
c. Have the power to have access to and copy any records, inspect any monitoring
equipment or method required under subdivision a, or to sample any effluents
being discharged into the waters of the state.
11. To exercise all incidental powers necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

12. The department is hereby designated as the state water pollution control agency for all
purposes of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended [33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.], and is hereby authorized to take all action necessary or appropriate to secure
to this state the benefits of that act and similar federal acts.
13. In the administration of standards of water quality, the department shall allow a
reasonable time for persons discharging wastes into the waters of the state to comply
with such standards.
14. To establish and modify, jointly with the state water commission, the classification of all
waters in accordance with their present and future most beneficial uses.
15. The department, with the cooperation of the state water commission, shall formulate
and issue standards of water quality and classification of water according to its most
beneficial uses. Such standards of quality shall be such as to protect the public health
and welfare and the present and prospective future use of such waters for public water
supplies, propagation of fish and aquatic life and wildlife, recreational purposes, and
agricultural, industrial, and other legitimate uses.
16. To adopt effluent and new source performance standards, which include as a minimum
all categories for which the federal government has set standards pursuant to the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended. Such state standards shall be at
least as stringent as the standards adopted by the federal government.
17. To review from time to time, at intervals of not more than three years, established
classification of waters, water quality standards, and effluent standards.
18. To make rules governing the application for permits to discharge sewage, industrial
wastes, or other wastes into state waters, including rules requiring the filing of plans
and specifications relating to the construction, modification, or operation of disposal
systems.
19. To make rules governing the issuance, denial, modification, or revocation of permits.
20. To hold any hearings necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.
21. To make rules for the administration of this chapter.
22. To initiate actions in court for the enforcement of this chapter.
23. To establish minimum requirements for the treatment of wastes.
24. The department, with the cooperation of other departments, may maintain an action for
damages in the name of the state for violations of the provisions of this chapter.
25. To apply and enforce against industrial users of publicly owned treatment works, toxic
effluent standards and pretreatment standards for the introduction into such treatment
works of wastes which interfere with, pass through, or otherwise are incompatible with
such treatment works. The department may promulgate such rules and regulations as
are necessary to implement this section.
26. To impose as conditions in permits for the discharge of wastes from publicly owned
treatment works requirements for information to be provided by the permittee
concerning new introductions of wastes or substantial changes in the volume or
character of wastes being introduced into such treatment works.
### § 61-28-04.1. Septic system servicing - Permit required - Inspection authority - Fees.

1. A person engaging in the business of servicing septic systems must have a permit
issued by the department and must comply with the conditions imposed by the permit.
2. The department shall administer and enforce a permitting program for septic system
servicers and has the following powers and duties:
a. To require training of and to examine septic system servicers and their
employees;
b. To establish standards and procedures for permitting of septic system servicers;
c. To issue permits to all applicants who satisfy the requirements for certification
under this section and any rules under this section, to renew permits, and to
suspend or revoke permits for cause after notice and opportunity for hearing;
d. To establish reasonable fees for permitting septic system servicers, however the
department may not establish or charge a permit or renewal fee for a plumber
licensed under chapter 43-18 who operates no more than one servicing unit;

e. To establish criteria for the sanitary management of septage, including standards
for the transportation, treatment, and disposal of septage;
f. To require preapproval of land application sites;
g. To require recordkeeping and reporting;
h. To require spill reporting, corrective action, and evidence of financial
responsibility; and
i. To adopt and enforce rules as necessary for implementation of this section.
3. In adopting its rules the department shall apply different standards based on the size
of the septic system servicer, on the type of the service provided, quantity of septage
handled, and number of units. The department may not require preapproval of a land
application site for an application from a rural single-family residence on property
owned or leased by the owner or lessee of the single-family residence.
4. The department may inspect all septic system servicing activities, including records,
equipment, and disposal sites at all reasonable times to ensure compliance with the
laws of this state. Nothing in this section removes the duty of any person to comply
with applicable public health standards.
### § 61-28-05. Rules and standards.

Repealed by S.L. 2017, ch. 199, § 74.
### § 61-28-06. Prohibitions.

1. It shall be unlawful for any person:
a. To cause pollution of any waters of the state or to place or cause to be placed any
wastes in a location where they are likely to cause pollution of any waters of the
state; and
b. To discharge any wastes into any waters of the state or to otherwise cause
pollution, which reduces the quality of such waters below the water quality
standards established therefor by the department.
2. It is unlawful for any person to carry on any of the following activities unless the person
holds a valid permit for the disposal of all wastes which are, or may be, discharged
thereby into the waters of the state:
a. The construction, installation, modification, or operation of any disposal system or
part thereof or any extension or addition thereto without plans and specifications
previously approved by the department.
b. Cause a material increase in volume or strength of any wastes in excess of the
permissive discharges specified under existing approved plans.
c. The construction, installation, or operation of any industrial, commercial, or other
establishment or any extension or modification or addition thereof, the operation
of which would cause an increase in the discharge of wastes into the waters of
the state or would otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties
of any waters of the state in any manner not already lawfully authorized.
d. The construction or use of any new outlet for the discharge of any wastes into the
waters of the state.
3. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, and except as in compliance with
the provisions of this chapter, and any rules and regulations promulgated hereunder,
the discharge of any wastes, or the violation of any water quality standards, by any
person shall be unlawful. The department may seek injunctive relief for a threatened or
continuing violation of a water quality standard, including any violations of the narrative
standards, if the department determines that the violation will substantially interfere
with or cause or threaten to cause long-term or irreparable harm to waters of this state
that the department determines has statewide or regional significance or has a
substantial impact to a local community. The authority to seek injunctive relief for a
violation of the water quality standards, including violations of the narrative standards,
is limited to the department, after obtaining written approval of the governor, and may
not be enforced by any other person.

### § 61-28-06.1. Fees - Deposit in operating fund.

The department by rule may prescribe and provide for the payment and collection of
reasonable fees for the issuance and renewals of permits, licenses, and approvals to discharge
sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into state waters. The permit fees must be based on
the anticipated cost of filing and processing the application, reviewing plans and specifications
relating to the construction, modification, or operation of disposal systems, and taking action on
the requested permit and conducting a monitoring and inspection program to determine
compliance or noncompliance with the permit. Any moneys collected for permit fees must be
deposited in the department operating fund in the state treasury and any expenditure from the
fund is subject to appropriation by the legislative assembly.
### § 61-28-07. Proceedings.

Any proceeding under this chapter for issuance or modification of rules, including
emergency orders relating to control of water pollution or for determining compliance with or
violation of this chapter, or adoption of any rule or order under this chapter by the department,
must be conducted in accordance with chapter 28-32. Any person claiming to be aggrieved or
adversely affected by actions taken, or by any rule or order issued under this chapter may
request a hearing by the department. There is a right of appeal to the district court from any
adverse ruling by the department. Where an emergency exists requiring immediate action to
protect the quality of water for legitimate uses and the public health and welfare, the
department, without further notice or hearing, may issue an order reciting the existence of the
emergency and requiring that such immediate action be taken as is necessary to meet this
emergency. Notwithstanding this chapter, the order is effective immediately. Any person to
whom the order is directed shall comply immediately, but on application to the department must
be afforded a hearing before the department within ten days. On the basis of that hearing, the
emergency order must be continued, modified, or revoked within thirty days after the hearing. In
the alternative, upon receipt of evidence that a pollution source or combination of sources is
presenting an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons or to the welfare
of persons where the endangerment to welfare is to the livelihood of those persons, or upon
receipt of evidence that pollution causes or threatens to cause a continuing violation of water
quality standards in a manner that substantially interferes with or causes long-term or
irreparable harm to waters of this state that the department determines has statewide or
regional significance or has a substantial impact to a local community, the department may bring
suit on behalf of the state in the district court for the county in which the violation is taking place
to immediately restrain any person causing or contributing to the alleged pollution to stop the
discharge of pollutants causing or contributing to the pollution, or to otherwise enjoin any
pollution causing a substantial water quality violation as described in this section, or to take
such other action as may be necessary.
### § 61-28-08. Penalties - Injunctions.

1. Any person who willfully violates this chapter, or any permit condition, rule, order,
limitation, or other applicable requirement implementing this chapter, is subject to a
fine of not more than ten thousand dollars per day per violation, or by imprisonment for
not more than one year, or both. If the conviction is for a violation committed after a
first conviction of such person under this subsection, punishment shall be by a fine of
not more than twenty thousand dollars per day per violation, or by imprisonment for
not more than two years, or both.
2. Any person who violates this chapter or any permit condition, rule, order, limitation, or
other applicable requirement implementing this chapter, with criminal negligence as
defined by section 12.1-02-02, is subject to a fine of not more than ten thousand
dollars per day per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
3. Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification
in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be
maintained under this chapter or any permit condition, rule, order, limitation, or other
applicable requirement implementing this chapter, or who falsifies, tampers with, or
knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be

maintained under this chapter or any permit condition, rule, order, limitation, or other
applicable requirement implementing this chapter, upon conviction, is subject to a fine
of not more than five thousand dollars per day per violation or by imprisonment for not
more than six months, or both.
4. Any person who violates this chapter, or any permit condition, rule, order, limitation, or
other applicable requirement implementing this chapter, is subject to a civil penalty not
to exceed twelve thousand five hundred dollars per day per violation.
5. Without prior revocation of any pertinent permits, the department may, in accordance
with the laws of this state governing injunctions or other process, maintain an action in
the name of the state against any person to enjoin any threatened or continuing
violation of any provision of this chapter or any permit condition, rule, order, limitation,
or other applicable requirement implementing this chapter. In addition to any other
penalties provided in this section, or other provisions of this code, any person who
violates an order for injunctive relief is subject to sanctions, not to exceed twenty-five
thousand dollars per day per violation. In determining the amount of the sanction, the
court shall consider the seriousness of the violation or violations, any good-faith efforts
to comply with the court's order, any history of such violations, the economic impact of
the sanction on the violator, the environmental and economic impacts to the resource
caused by the violation or violations, the comparative environmental and economic
impacts on any other resources affected, if any, and such other matters as justice may
require. As an additional sanction for violating an order, the court may hold the violator
in contempt and, upon the state's motion, may allow a sanction up to the value of any
damages that occur to the state as a result of the violation. The authority to seek
sanctions under this subsection is limited to the department or to the attorney general
bringing an action on behalf of the state and may not be enforced by any other person.
### § 61-28-09. Water transfers used to control flooding exempt.

1. An action may not be brought under either chapter 32-40 or 61-28 against an owner or
operator of a water transfer used to control flooding for violation of the state's water
pollution control laws if the water transfer:
a. Does not require a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit; and
b. Complies with the conditions in the state's water quality standards established to
protect aquatic life.
2. For purposes of this section, "water transfer" means an activity that conveys or
connects waters of the state without subjecting the transferred water to intervening
industrial, municipal, or commercial use.
3. The exemption in subsection 1 does not apply to pollutants introduced by the water
transfer activity itself to the water being transferred.
4. The owner or operator of a water transfer falling within this exemption must notify the
department before beginning operations.
