The Clean Water Act established regulatory responsibilities for facilities to prevent pollution, maintain risk prevention plans and records, and obtain discharge permits. The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) established an effluent permit system for point source (pipe, ditch, sewer) discharges of pollutants into waters of the U.S. The NPDES permit system requires those permitted to maintain records and report on the amount and nature of discharged effluent waste components. The stormwater program is a part of the NPDES program and is designed to reduce or eliminate the discharge of contaminated stormwater into waters of the U.S. The program requires the following stormwater discharges to be covered by an NPDES permit:
Discharge Associated with an Industrial Activity
Discharge from Large or Medium Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
OR, EPA States the Discharge Violates Water Quality Standards
