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 4 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 reach Step 4 (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
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.
Outfall Summary
Lists the Industrial User's outfalls.
Compliance Limits
Displays the compliance discharge limits added to the permit in Step 2 (Limits). These are the enforceable limits that the IU must meet. Columns typically include the analyte, limit type, limit value, units, and rationale.
Notification Limits
Displays the notification discharge limits added to the permit in Step 2 (Limits) — monitoring thresholds that trigger alerts but do not create formal violations.
Limits and Requirements Table
A combined view showing discharge limits alongside their associated sampling requirements, giving a complete picture of what is being monitored and how.
SMR w/ Requirements
Displays the Self-Monitoring Report Configurations (SMRCs) on the permit that are assigned to Industry. The SMRCs shown here are the ones added to the permit in Step 3 (Sample Report Configurations) of the permit wizard.
This table shows configuration details including the outfall, analytes, sample type, frequency, report period, administrative period, and status.
ASR w/ Requirements
Displays the Authority-assigned Sample Report Configurations on the permit.
Working with System Tables in the Permit Wizard
During Step 4 (Fill Form), system tables appear inline within the permit document alongside the data entry fields and static text.
Viewing and Filtering
System tables support:
Advanced filtering (limits tables only) — filter rows by column values (text contains, numeric comparisons, date ranges)
Pagination — navigate through large datasets
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. In the limits and sample report configuration tables (Compliance Limits, Notification Limits, SMR w/ Requirements, ASR w/ Requirements, and Limits and Requirements Table), the eye icon on a row hides or shows it in that table. In other system tables, select rows and delete them to remove them from the permit document.
⚠️ Hiding a row in a limits or SMR table does not take that limit or SMRC off the permit. Each limit and SMRC on the permit must stay visible in at least one table. To take one off the permit, remove it in Step 2 (Limits) or Step 3 (Sample Report Configurations).
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 or update IU profile fields), or add limits and SMRCs to the permit in Steps 2 and 3, 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
💡 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: Limits | Limits are added to the permit. Limits can be added only when the template includes a limits system table. |
Step 3: Sample Report Configurations | SMRCs are added to the permit and scheduled. SMRCs can be added only when the template includes a sample report configurations system table. |
Step 4: 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, which show the limits and SMRCs added in Steps 2 and 3. |
Step 5: 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 4 (Fill Form) 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: Hiding a limit row with the eye icon hides it in that table only. The limit stays on the permit, and it must stay visible in at least one table. To take a limit off the permit, remove it in Step 2 (Limits).
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 clears the limits and sample report configurations added in Steps 2 and 3, and the form data entered in Step 4 (Fill Form).