Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMR)

Frequently Asked Questions

To address concerns about filling out your Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), we have prepared the following list of questions and answers, or frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered below, please contact us.

  1. Am I supposed to report to you?
    If you are a minor permit holder, you are not required to report to the State Water Board at this time. Please continue reporting to your Regional Board. All major NPDES permit holders that formerly reported to USEPA are now required to submit their DMRs to the SWRCB Discharge Monitoring Report Processing Center. Please contact us for clarification.
  2. Can I submit DMR forms that I generated myself instead of the pre-printed forms that U.S. EPA has sent me? U.S. EPA staff had previously approved them.
    Yes! Please make sure your forms match the forms we generate EXACTLY. If you have questions about your reporting requirements please contact us.
  3. What about what I send to my Regional Board? Do you want that too?
    Until further notice, anything you would normally send to the Regional Board should continue to be submitted to the Regional Board. DMRs are the only item to be sent to the Discharge Monitoring Report Processing Center in Sacramento. We do not need the lab reports and other information that was sent to the Regional Board.
  4. What is the preferred method of mailing completed DMR forms to your post office box?
    Standard Mail and Media Mail are best.
  5. What if we use Federal Express/UPS/DHL? Division of Water Quality
    NPDES Unit, 15-35A
    ATTN: DMR Processing Center
    1001 I Street, 15th Floor
    Sacramento, CA 95814
  6. What do I do if I am missing my DMR forms?
    Send an email to DMR@waterboards.ca.gov with your permit number, the months you need, and the discharge number of missing reports.
  7. How do I change my mailing address/contact information for my DMR forms?
    Contact the DMR Processing Center at DMR@waterboards.ca.gov. In the subject line write your permit number Caxxxxxxx and “Contact Information Change”