(1) The department, with the assistance of the attorney general, may sue in courts of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any threatened or continuing violations of any general permits or conditions thereof without the necessity of a prior revocation of coverage under the general permit.

(2) The department may enter any premises in which an effluent source is located or in which records are required to be kept under terms or conditions of a general permit, and otherwise be able to investigate, inspect, or monitor any suspected violations of water quality standards, or effluent standards and limitations, or of general permit terms or conditions thereof.

(3) The department may assess or, with the assistance of the attorney general, sue to recover in court, such civil fines, penalties, and other civil relief as may be appropriate for the violation by any person of:

(a) Any effluent standards and limitations or water quality standards;

(b) Any general permit or term or condition thereof;

(c) Any filing requirements;

(d) Any duty to permit or carry out inspection, entry, or monitoring activities; or

(e) Any rules, regulations, or orders issued by the department.

(4) The department may request the prosecuting attorney to seek criminal sanctions for the violation by such persons of:

(a) Any effluent standards and limitations or water quality standards;

(b) Any permit or term or condition thereof; or

(c) Any filing requirements.

(5) The department, with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney, may seek criminal sanctions against any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any form or any notice or report required by the terms and conditions of any issued permit or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained by the department.