Except as provided by subdivision five of section 17-0701 of this article, it shall be unlawful to discharge pollutants to the waters of the state from any outlet or point source without a SPDES permit issued pursuant hereto or in a manner other than as prescribed by such permit. The department shall, by rule and regulation, require that every applicant for a permit to discharge pollutants into the waters of the state shall file such information at such times and in such form as the department may reasonably require to execute the provisions of this article. Rules and regulations adopted hereunder may provide that in lieu of issuance of such permit the department may accept as compliance herewith a permit duly issued by the federal government or an agency thereof pursuant to the provisions of the Act.