National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - United States

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. In most cases, the NPDES permit program is administered by authorized states. Since its introduction in 1972, the NPDES permit program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation's water quality.

Management System and Data Management Implications

Reporting data for a particular NPDES permit can have significant implications for large industrial facilities. A single facility may have anywhere from 10 to 200 outfalls that require individual Discharge Monitoring Reports.

Developing and submitting Discharge Monitoring Reports can be a time consuming task. To effectively maintain compliance with these reporting requirements a data management system can be useful:

• Discharge Monitoring Report data can be submitted for NPDES permits.
• Automatic loading value Calculations from concentration and flow data.
• Track permit requirements and day to day sampling data at each discharge point.
• Maintain and prove NPDES compliance with discharge permit limits.

Back to Top

Fast Facts

More Information

For details about how the IHS solutions can help your organization comply with NPDES Permits,
call 800.289.6116 or email us.