(1) The department may establish schedules and permit conditions as necessary to achieve compliance with applicable effluent standards and limitations, water quality standards, and other legally applicable requirements contained in a general permit in any or all of the following ways:

(a) As a condition or schedule in a general permit;

(b) In an administrative order issued pursuant to chapter 90.48 RCW; and

(c) By any other method deemed appropriate by the department.

(2) Schedules of compliance shall reflect the shortest reasonable period of time necessary to achieve compliance consistent with the guidelines and requirements of the FWPCA.

(3) In any case where the period of time for compliance specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section exceeds one year, a schedule of compliance shall be specified that will set forth interim requirements and the dates for their achievement; however, in no event shall more than one year elapse between interim dates. If the time necessary for completion of the interim requirement (such as construction of a treatment facility) is more than one year and is not readily divided into stages of completion, interim dates shall be specified for the submission of reports of progress toward completion of the interim requirement.

(4) Either before or up to fourteen days following each interim date and the final date of compliance, the permittee shall provide the department with written notice of the permittee's compliance or noncompliance with each interim or final requirement.

(5) If a permittee fails or refuses to comply with an interim or final requirement contained in a general permit, or as submitted as part of an application for coverage under a general permit, such noncompliance shall constitute a violation of the general permit for which the department may revoke coverage under the general permit or take direct enforcement action pursuant to chapter 90.48 RCW.