National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES) Permit

The Problem

• 25 years ago 1/3 of the waters of the US were safe for fishing or swimming

• Wetland Losses were estimated at 460,000 acres annually

• Agricultural runoff resulted in the erosion of 2,250,000,000 tons of soil and the deposit of large amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen

Foundation of Modern Water Laws

• 1948 Water Pollution Control Act- focused on protection of human health not environment. Had few if any federal goals, objectives, limits, and or guidelines.

• Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1956 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1961- focused on funding for municipal wastewater treatment plants.

• Water Quality Act of 1965 – required States to develop water quality standards for interstate waters. About half of states complied.

• Refuse Act Permit Program (RAPP)-permitting program to control water pollution. Required facilities discharging wastes into public waterways to obtain federal permits.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) Amendments of 1972

• Distinct change in philosophy of water pollution control in the United States

• Requirements for water-quality based controls• Emphasis on technology-based or end-of-pipe control strategies• Maintained discharge of pollutants to a navigable water is not a

right.• Effluent limits must be based on treatment technology

performance, but more stringent limits may be imposed if the technology-based limits do not prevent violations of water quality in the receiving water.

• Created the NPDES Program

Clean Water Act

• Established 126 pollutants that are toxic

• Defined conventional and non conventional pollutants.

• Adjusted technology based standards to reflect a shift towards controlling toxics.

• Goal was to restore all waters of the US to a fishable and swimmable quality

What is an NPDES Permit

• All facilities which discharge pollutants from any point source into waters of the US must obtain a permit.

• Two levels of control 1) technology based limits 2)water quality based limits

• Categorized Point sources vs. non point sources

Point Source

• Discharges from publicly owned treatment works(POTWs), discharges from industrial facilities , and discharges associated with urban runoff.

Non-point Source (Non-regulated)

• Majority of agricultural facilities

• Exempt from NPDES regulations

Non-point Source (Regulated)

• Urban Runoff from citizens going about their everyday or rainfall activities

• Includes sediment, nitrogen, fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and household hazardous wastes.

• Reports show that this is the leading cause of water pollution in the US

What is Jefferson County?

• Phase I municipalities are all cities or counties over 100,000 people.

• Jefferson County has a Phase I Municipal Separate Sewer System (MS4) Permit.

Permit Requirements for Construction Sites

• Home sites must be submitted to the local agency for review prior to construction.

• Commercial Sites less than one acre must be submitted for review

• All sites greater than 1 acre must have an Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Permit as well as be submitted to local agencies for acceptance.

• THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO KEEP SEDIMENT ON YOUR SITE!!!!

Primary Pollutants of Concern on Single Family Residential sites

• Sedimentation• Nitrogen• Common chemicals

such as paint, toxins, and other building chemicals

• Debris• BE RESPONSIBLE KEEP

YOUR SITE CLEAN

Questions