Who this article is for: Authority users who create permits and need to understand how templates drive the permit document.
Overview
Permit templates define the structure and content of discharge permits. When you create a permit using the wizard, the template determines what the permit document looks like, what fields need to be filled in, and which system tables appear.
System tables are the key feature of templates. They are special tables that automatically pull data from SwiftComply — discharge limits, IU details, contacts, and sampling requirements — directly into the permit document. This eliminates the need to manually transcribe compliance data into permits and ensures the permit reflects the current state of the system.
How Templates Work
A permit template contains three types of content:
Document text — the static language of the permit (legal terms, conditions, boilerplate).
Data entry fields — fillable fields that the user completes during permit creation (Step 2 of the wizard). These are specific to each permit.
System tables — read-only tables that auto-populate with data from the system based on the selected Industrial User and permit dates.
When you select a template in Step 1 of the permit wizard and then move to Step 2 (Fill Form), the system fetches the relevant data for each system table based on the IU you selected and the effective/expiration dates you entered.
System Tables
The following system tables can be included in a permit template. Which ones appear depends on how the template was configured.
IU Summary Table
Pulls the Industrial User's profile information into the permit — facility name, address, account number, and operational details.
Contacts
Lists the contacts associated with the Industrial User, including contact names, types, and contact information.
Compliance Limits Table
Displays all compliance discharge limits configured on the IU's outfalls. These are the enforceable limits that the IU must meet. Columns typically include the analyte, limit type, limit value, units, and rationale.
Notification Limits Table
Displays all notification discharge limits — monitoring thresholds that trigger alerts but do not create formal violations.
Limits and Requirements
A combined view showing discharge limits alongside their associated sampling requirements, giving a complete picture of what is being monitored and how.
SMR Requirements (Industry)
Displays Self-Monitoring Report Configurations assigned to the IU. This is the table that drives Step 3 (Schedule Requirements) of the permit wizard — the SMRCs shown here are the ones that will be connected to the permit and scheduled.
This table shows configuration details including the outfall, analytes, sample type, frequency, report period, administrative period, and status.
Sampling Specification and Calculation with Report
A detailed view of sampling specifications and calculated result configurations, showing the full breakdown of what data must be collected and how it will be calculated.
Working with System Tables in the Permit Wizard
During Step 2 (Fill Form), system tables appear inline within the permit document alongside the data entry fields and static text.
Viewing and Filtering
System tables support:
Column visibility — show or hide columns using the column menu
Advanced filtering — filter rows by column values (text contains, numeric comparisons, date ranges)
Pagination — navigate through large datasets
CSV export — download the visible table data
Excluding Rows
While you cannot edit the data in system tables (the values come from the system), you can exclude rows that should not appear in this specific permit. Select rows and delete them to remove them from the permit document.
⚠️ Note: Excluding an SMR Requirement row from the system table removes it from Step 3 (Schedule Requirements). That SMRC will not be connected to this permit and will remain in Available status.
What System Tables Cannot Do
System tables are read-only reflections of data configured elsewhere in SwiftComply. You cannot:
Edit cell values directly in the table
Add new rows to the table
Reorder rows
To change the data that appears in a system table, update the source data (e.g., modify discharge limits on the outfall, update IU profile fields, or create new SMRCs) and the table will reflect those changes.
Managing Templates
Templates are managed under Configuration > Templates in the left sidebar.
From the Templates page you can:
View all available permit templates
Duplicate an existing template to use as a starting point
Delete templates that are no longer needed
💡 Note: Template creation and structural changes (adding/removing system tables, modifying document layout) are managed by SwiftComply. Contact your SwiftComply administrator if you need a new template or changes to an existing template's structure.
How Templates Connect to the Permit Wizard
Wizard Step | Template Role |
Step 1: Template Selection | You choose which template to use. The template determines everything that follows. |
Step 2: Fill Form | The template's document text, data entry fields, and system tables are rendered. You complete the fields and review the auto-populated tables. |
Step 3: Schedule Requirements | SMRCs discovered from the template's system tables are presented for scheduling. Only SMRCs not excluded in Step 2 appear here. |
Step 4: Review & Sign | A PDF is generated from the completed template, including all filled fields and system table data. You review and sign. |
FAQ
Q: Can I create my own templates?
A: Template structure (document layout, system table placement, field definitions) is managed by SwiftComply. Contact your SwiftComply administrator to request new templates or modifications to existing ones. You can duplicate existing templates from the Configuration > Templates page.
Q: Why is a system table showing outdated data?
A: System tables pull data live when you open Step 2 of the permit wizard. If the data looks outdated, check the source — update the discharge limits, IU profile, or SMRCs as needed, then return to the permit wizard. The table will reflect the current state.
Q: Can I use the same template for multiple permits?
A: Yes. Templates are reusable. Each time you create a permit and select a template, the system tables pull fresh data for the specific IU and dates you selected.
Q: What happens if I exclude a limits row from the system table?
A: The limit is excluded from this specific permit document only. The limit itself is not affected — it still exists on the outfall and is still enforced. Excluding it simply removes it from the permit's printed/PDF output.
Q: Can I switch templates after starting a permit?
A: Yes. You can go back to Step 1 and select a different template. However, switching templates resets your Step 2 form data and any scheduling done in Step 3.