National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

What is NPDES?
The 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 permit program is authorized to state governments by EPA to perform many permitting, administrative, and enforcement aspects of the program.
Releases from a Point Source to Groundwater
- On December 10, 2020, EPA published a Federal Register notice requesting public comment on draft guidance that clarifies how the Supreme Court’s County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund decision should be applied under the NPDES permit program. EPA is accepting comment on the draft guidance for 30 days following this date.
- View more information about the Federal Register notice and the draft guidance document
Keys to Permitting Success
Plan. Communicate. Be flexible. Collaborate.

EPA believes that by 2022, all permitting decisions should be made within six months. To that end, EPA's Smart Sectors Program is discovering strategies that result in efficient environmental permitting processes. When Boeing decided to secure additional land for future growth in Charleston, SC, it received air and wetlands permits just a few months after submitting permit applications.
- Read Boeing's story
- Watch the video