(a) The SPDES permit, or a true copy, shall be kept readily available for reference at the largest wastewater treatment facility on site.

(b) Upon issuance of a SPDES permit, a determination has been made on the basis of a submitted application, plans, or other available information, that compliance with the specified permit provisions will reasonably protect classified water use and assure compliance with applicable water quality standards. Satisfaction of permit provisions notwithstanding, if operation pursuant to the permit causes or contributes to a condition in contravention of State water quality standards or guidance values, or if the department determines that a modification of the permit is necessary to prevent impairment of the best use of the waters or to assure maintenance of water quality standards or compliance with other provisions of ECL article 17, or the act or any regulations adopted pursuant thereto (see section 750-1.25 of this Part), the department may require such a modification and the commissioner may require abatement action to be taken by the permittee and may also prohibit such operation until the permit has been modified pursuant to section 621.14 of this Title.

(c) The provisions of a SPDES permit are severable, and if any provision of the permit, or the application of any provision of the permit to any circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder of the permit, shall not be affected thereby.

(d) If the discharge(s) permitted in a SPDES permit originate(s) within the jurisdiction of an interstate water pollution control agency, then the permitted discharge(s) must also comply with any applicable effluent standards or water quality standards promulgated by that interstate agency and as set forth in the permit for such discharge(s).

(e) The permittee must comply with all terms and conditions of the permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Environmental Conservation Law and the Clean Water Act and is grounds for: enforcement action; for permit suspension, revocation or modification; and for denial of a permit renewal application.

(f) Where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the department, the permittee shall promptly submit such facts or corrected information to the regional water engineer.

(g) It shall not be a defense, for a permittee in an enforcement action, that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of the permit.

(h) The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification, termination, transfer, or a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance, does not stay any permit condition.

(i) The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time as set forth in the department request, any information that the department may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, suspending, or revoking a SPDES permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the department, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permittee.

(j) Nothing in a SPDES permit relieves the permittee from a requirement to obtain any other permits required by law.

(k) Discharges authorized by a SPDES permit as defined in section 750-1.2(a) of this Part are deemed in compliance with titles 5, 7 and 8 of article 17 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.