DEFINITION
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. A permit program created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act (CWA) that addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. Created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES program is fundamental to North American industrial operations.
Who Needs a Permit?
Generally, any industrial facility that discharges water (wastewater, cooling water, or stormwater) through a "discrete conveyance" (pipe, ditch, channel) into a surface water body must obtain an NPDES permit.
Permit Types
- Individual Permits: Tailored specifically to an individual facility based on its unique discharge characteristics.
- General Permits: Cover a category of dischargers with similar operations and wastes (e.g., Construction General Permit, Multi-Sector General Permit).