A manual to assist member companies and others in preparing applications and negotiating with permit authorities for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for wastewater discharges. The manual is intended to help permittees and permit applicants to understand the permit process from application to final permit, and to provide tools and strategies for assuring that the permit is fair and properly implements the applicable regulations. Much of the information in this manual is based on practical experience with many NPDES permits and applications. Examples and case histories are provided to help the user understand the permit application process.