Enforcement Actions

The DEQ undertakes enforcement actions to preserve safe environmental conditions throughout Wyoming. 

This page contains information on the enforcement actions that the Water Quality Division may undertake, as well as a record of enforcement actions that have been undertaken by WQD.

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Electronic Documents Submittal

Electronic document submittal is available for WQD permit applications, reports, and other communications.
Visit:  WDEQ Water Quality Division Downloads

You do NOT need to follow up the electronic submission with a hard copy submission unless you are specifically contacted by a WQD staff person with a request to do so.

Need to report a spill or complaint? Please visit https://deqspills.wyo.gov/home

Submitting a public comment? WQD is unable to accept public notice comments through this system. Refer to the public notice document for instructions on how to submit comments or visit https://wq.wyomingdeq.commentinput.com/comment/search.

NOTICE: All applications for water distribution systems and/or sewage collection systems that are within the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) district shall be submitted to the BOPU for approval. Contact Frank Strong or Bryce Dorr at (307) 637-6460, ENGreview@cheyennebopu.org, or http://cheyennebopu.org for additional information.

Recent General Permit Authorizations

The DEQ Water Quality Division accepts comments on all permits authorized under a general permit for a period of 30 days, as provided for in W.S. 35-11-801(d).

Interested persons may mail or fax comments to the main Cheyenne office. The ‘Date’ column in the table below indicates the date the authorization was posted to the website. Comments must be received before 5:00 pm on the 30th day after the authorization was posted to the website. For example, comments for an authorization posted on 10/1/18 must be received by 5:00 p.m. on 10/31/18. DEQ does not accept emailed comments.

You may sort the table by posting date or search for the type of general permit, the county where the permit was issued, the permit number, or the name of the person or company to whom the permit was issued.

If you wish to review the general permit documents, please go to the web page for each permitting program:

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Proposed Rules and Regulations

Water Quality Rules Chapter 12

The Wyoming Environmental Quality Council will consider proposed revisions to the
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Water Quality Rules Chapter 12, Design and Construction Standards for Public Water Supplies, Docket 22-3103, at a hearing to be held on November 15, 2022 in the Capitol Extension Public Meeting Room 5, Herschler Building, 122 W. 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY, 82002, starting at 9:00 a.m. (MST). The revisions include new requirements for public water supplies that propose well acidization, updates to water treatment technologies, and the incorporation by reference of the Recommended Standards for Water Works, 2018 Edition. More information is available at: https://eqc.wyo.gov/Public/Pleadings.aspx?DocketId=4336

Water Quality Rules Chapter 3

The Department of Environmental Quality has revised Water Quality Rules, Chapter 3, Regulations for Permit to Construct, Install or Modify Public Water Supplies,
Wastewater Facilities, Disposal Systems, Biosolids Management Facilities, Treated
Wastewater Reuse Systems and Other Facilities Capable of Causing or Contributing to Pollution.

The Environmental Quality Council adopted the revised rules at a public hearing located at the Capitol Extension Public Meeting Room 5, Herschler Building, 122 W. 25th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming on June 14, 2022. The final rule was filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State on August 19, 2022.

Electronic copies of the rule are available from the Secretary of State at rules.wyo.gov , under “Current Rules,” “Environmental Quality, Dept of (020),” “Water Quality,” “Chapter 3.”

Water Quality Rules Chapter 29

The Department of Environmental Quality has created a new rule: Water Quality Rules Chapter 29, Geologic Sequestration Special Revenue Account Requirements.

The Environmental Quality Council adopted the new rule at a public hearing located at the Capitol Extension Public Meeting Room 5, Herschler Building, 122 W. 25th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming on June 14, 2022. The final rule was filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State on August 19, 2022.

Electronic copies of the rule are available from the Secretary of State at rules.wyo.gov, under “Current Rules,” “Environmental Quality, Dept of (020),” “Water Quality,” “Chapter 29.”

Rules and Regulations

All official Wyoming State Rules and Regulations are kept at the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office. Click here to view all current Rules and Regulations.

CAFO's

The Water & Wastewater Program works to ensure safe and adequate supplies of drinking water and the proper disposal of wastewater.

The Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting program provides oversight for facilities housing large concentrations of livestock to ensure that the waters of the state are not negatively impacted and that the waste these animals generate are appropriately treated.

We work with CAFOs under three separate regulatory programs, the WY Point Source Discharge Elimination System Program (WYPDES), the Water and Wastewater Construction Permitting Program, and for some larger CAFOs, the Air Quality Permitting Program.

CAFO Permitting Process

The process of attaining a CAFO Permit entails the following steps: 

  1. Contact us.
    The permitting process involves multiple regulatory programs. You will need a permit from each regulatory program, including a WYPDES Discharge Permit, a Water and Wastewater Permit to Construct, and potentially an Air Quality Permit.

    You will likely need to meet with members of our team to review your plans, which usually results in a smoother, less expensive design and permitting process. See the bottom of this page for more contact information.

     
  2. Hire an engineer.
    An engineer will help develop your wastewater, waste, and nutrient management plans and design the structures required by your permit. Financial assistance for this step may be available through the USDA Rural Development Program.

     
  3. Complete paperwork. 
    You will need to complete several forms and applications to apply for permits from the three regulatory programs with oversight for CAFO. 

    Some of these documents require you to submit them along with fees. Additional applications may be required for wastewater runoff and retention systems and/or for swine confinement facilities. 
Does My Facility Need A Permit?

A permit is required when more than 1,000 head of cattle or an equivalent weight of livestock are confined for more than 45 days, or the facility negatively impacts the waters of the state.

Equivalent livestock weights are listed in Appendix G of state rules Chapter 2.

How do I begin?

If you think you need a permit for your Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, you should gather some information before you contact us. 

  1. Do you have cropland that can be used to dispose of wastewater?
  2. Is your groundwater deeper than 20 feet?
  3. Do the water wells in your area draw from a deep aquifer?
  4. Does your soil have a slow “perc” rate? (caused by soil with clay or silt in it)
  5. Is the groundwater in your area unsuitable for potable use?
  6. Will you be able to grow grass or similar vegetation inside the area of the    containment pond when it is dry?

If your site meets most of the criteria listed above, you may qualify to contain your wastewater runoff in a “Temporary Retention Structure,” which is generally cheaper and easier to build than a full retention structure. Even if your site does not meet the Temporary Retention Structure criteria, answers to these questions are needed in order to properly design your wastewater retention facility. 

If you need assistance obtaining this information, your engineer should be able to help you.

Contact

WYPDES Permit Writer
Jason Thomas, Program Manager
DEQ/Water Quality Division
200 W. 17th St. 4th Floor
Cheyenne, WY  82002
Tel: 307-777-5504
Fax: 307-777-5973
email: jason.thomas@wyo.gov

Nutrient Management Plans
Jon Deutscher

DEQ/Water Quality Division
2100 West 5th St.
Sheridan, WY 82801
Tel: 307-675-5635
Fax: 307-672-2213
 email: jon.deutscher@wyo.gov

Construction Permits
James Brough

DEQ/Water Quality Division
510 Meadowview Dr.
Lander, WY 82520
Tel: 307-335-6961
Fax: 307-332-7726
 email: james.brough@wyo.gov

CAFO Guidance

This page contains downloadable CAFO Guidance and Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) development documents.  Click on the document title below.

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Forms and Reports

Water and Wastewater Permit to Construct Application or Chapter 3 Permit

A copy of your issued permit is available online.

To view CAFO permits issued through the WYPDES Program, click here.

Reporting Forms

A CAFO Permit Annual Report is required if you have a WYPDES Discharge Permit.  Excel version  or  PDF version

Log Sheets

Daily Water Line Inspection Log
Manure, Litter, and Process Wastewater Transfer Record
Manure Spreader Calibration Maintenance Log
Nutrient Land Application Log
Precipitation Log
Weekly Storage and Containment Structure Inspection Log

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