Watershed Regulatory

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are required by all dischargers that discharge pollutants from any point source into waters of the United States. Our authority to regulate these point sources comes from Section 402 of the Clean Water Act and Section 13370 of the California Water Code. The Regional Boards issue NPDES permits in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the U.S. EPA and the State. The requirements of the MOA are spelled out for staff in the administrative procedures manual for NPDES permits. The Watershed Regulatory Section implements the NPDES program for the Region, and issues individual NPDES permits for Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) and industrial facilities, and general NPDES permits for special categories of projects. The Watershed Regulatory Section also issues recycled water permits for non-potable and indirect potable reuses projects. In addition, indirect dischargers (i.e., those facilities that discharge to a POTW) also receive oversight by the Watershed Regulatory Section’s Pretreatment program.