National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Law and Legal Definition
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a provision of the Clean Water Act that prohibits discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S. unless a special permit is issued by the EPA, a state, or a tribal government.
The main pollutants regulated by the NPDES include conventional pollutants and wastewater from commercial and industrial facilities, fecal coliform, oil and grease, toxic pollutants and nonconventional pollutants.
Industrial, municipal, or agricultural facilities discharging directly into surface water require NPDES permits. NPDES permits can be obtained at a state environmental protection office, or at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA monitors NPDES compliance with on site inspections and data review. If any provisions are not fulfilled, it can result in civil and criminal action against the violator.
Legal Definition list
- National Per-Meal Value
- National Parks
- National Park System Damages
- National Park System
- National Park Service Activities
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- National Pollution Funds Center
- National Preparedness System
- National Priorities List (NPL)
- National Prison Rape Elimination Commission [NPREC]
- National Program Guidance
Related Legal Terms
- 9-1-1 System
- Absolute Discharge
- Abusive Discharge
- Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding [USIP]
- Accelerated Cost Recovery System
- Access Control List [National Security]
- Access Control Mechanism [National Security]
- Accessible Space [National Security]
- Active Solar System
- Activity of Multinational Enterprises