National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - Wastewater

DO I NEED AN NPDES PERMIT?

If you discharge pollutants from a point source to a water of the United States you need an NPDES permit. 

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the 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. Examples of pollutants include, but are not limited to, rock, sand, dirt, and agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste discharged into waters of the United States. See section 122.2 of 40 Code of Federal Regulations for the definitions of point source, pollutant, and water of the United States.

The NPDES Program is a federal program which has been delegated to the State of California for implementation through the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), collectively Water Boards. In California, NPDES permits are also referred to as waste discharge requirements (WDRs) that regulate discharges to waters of the United States.

Since its introduction in 1972, the NPDES Program has been responsible for significant improvements to our nation's and state’s water quality.

WHERE DO I DISCHARGE?
WHERE SHOULD I GET MY PERMIT?

The map below shows the nine Regional Water Board boundaries which are based on watersheds. Using the map, determine where your discharge will occur and contact the appropriate Regional Water Board NPDES Program Manager for that region. The contact information for the Regional Water Board NPDES Program Managers is shown in the table below.

~ click map to enlarge ~

Programs & Policies

• Discharge Specific Programs
  • Drinking Water System Discharges Permit
  • Natural Gas Permit
  • Once Through Cooling Program
  • Pesticides Permit
  • Pretreatment Program
  • Stormwater Program
  • Suction Dredge Mining Permit
  • Utility Vaults & Underground Structures Permit
  • Vessel Discharges Permit

Permit Types & Fees

• Individual Permits (Processes for applying, renewing, modifying, rescinding)
• General Permits (See specific permit for processes on applying, transferring ownership, terminating, etc)
  • Ex Parte Disclosure Requirements for Pending General Orders
  • State and Regional Water Board General Permits
• Permit Fees | Check your Annual Fee Invoice Status
• Useful Links
  • Assistance for Small Disadvantaged Communities
  • Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Facilities
  • USEPA Sustainable Water Infrastructure
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) | US EPA

Databases & Reports

• CIWQS Database - California Integrated Water Quality System
• Monitoring & Reporting:
  • DMRs - Discharge Monitoring Reports Page
  • eSMRs - Electronic Self-Monitoring Reports Page
• Reports
  • Public Reports
  • Search for Enrollees under General Permits (search by order number, Example: 2011-0003-DWQ)
  • Search for NPDES Facilities and Permits

Roles & Contact information

• Role of State and Regional Water Boards
• Regional Water Board Contacts
  • Websites, Contacts, and Mailing Addresses
    (Click on the Water Board Map for Regional Water Board addresses and website links)
• State Water Board Contacts
  • Mailing Address:
     State Water Resources Control Board
     Division of Water Quality
     NPDES Wastewater Unit, 15th Floor
     P.O. Box 100
     Sacramento, CA 95812-0100
  • Street Address:
     1001 I Street
     Sacramento, CA 95814

The Role of the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards

It is the responsibility of the Water Boards to preserve and enhance the quality of the state's waters through the development of water quality control plans and the issuance of (WDRs. WDRs for discharges to waters of the United States also serve as NPDES permits.

The State Water Board establishes statewide plans, policies, and regulations that help protect and restore the water quality in California. The State Water Board also oversees the implementation of the NPDES Program throughout the state. As such, it coordinates with and supports Regional Water Board efforts, and reviews Regional Water Board actions. While the State Water Board has issued some NPDES permits, the Regional Water Boards issue the vast majority of NPDES permits in the state. Therefore, they ensure compliance with their permits through compliance inspections, monitoring report reviews, and enforce actions, if necessary. Each Regional Water Board makes critical water quality decisions for its region.

Fees

NPDES Permit Fees

• For NPDES Permit Fee information please check this Fee Schedule link and see the corresponding section for each type of NPDES permit.
  Please Note: The California Water Code requires the State Water Board to adjust the fees each fiscal year to conform with the revenue levels set forth in the California Budget Act. Thus, the fees could change every year.

 Subscribe to the Fee Regulations email list (under "General Interests" and receive periodic updates).