National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

NPDES Program

The NPDES program regulates point source discharge of wastewater to surface waters of the Region so that the highest quality and beneficial uses of these waters are protected and enhanced. Regulation is by issuance of NPDES permits which are updated every five years. Each permit contains effluent limitations which ensure the protection of the quality of the receiving waters. The NPDES Permit Assistance webpage provides additional information.

• A NPDES permit is required if a discharge meets the following three criteria.
  1. Discharge is a "point source". The term "point source" means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged.
  2. Discharge contains pollutants. The term "discharge of a pollutant" and the term "discharge of pollutants" each means:
     • any addition of any pollutant to navigable waters from any point source, and
     • any addition to any pollutant to the waters of the contiguous zone or the ocean from any point source other than a vessel or other floating craft.
     Classes of pollutants consist of conventional, nonconventional, and toxic categories. Appendix A and B of the State Board Enforcement Policy provides a list of pollutants.
  3. Discharge is into waters of the United States. Definition of waters of the United States can be found in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 122.2.

Storm Water Program (Construction, Industrial, and Municipal)

• Storm Water Program

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

For More Information

Please contact:

Supervisor
John Carmona
Senior Water Resources Control Engineer
760 340-4521 or email at jcarmona@waterboards.ca.gov

Staff
Kirk Larkin
Water Resources Control Engineer
760 776-8964 or email at klarkin@waterboards.ca.gov

Jose Figueroa-Acevedo
Water Resources Control Engineer
760 776-8967 or email at jfigueroa-acevedo@waterboards.ca.gov

Helpful Links for the NPDES Program

State and Federal

• Region 7 Board Orders
• State NPDES Program
• Federal NPDES Program
• Office of Operator Certification
• California Integrated Water Quality System Project (CIWQS)
• 40 CFR
• Form 200 - Report of Waste Discharge Application

Pretreatment Programs

• Cal Fog (information of fats oils and grease programs within California)
• USEPA Pretreatment Program

Laboratory Analysis and Water Quality Criteria

• State of California Health Department
• USEPA Clean Water Act Analytical Test Methods
• Current National Recommended Water Quality Criteria
• Region 5 Water Quality Goals