Which agency issues NPDES permits?

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This permitting system is a critical component of the Clean Water Act, aimed at regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. The NPDES framework allows the EPA to maintain and enforce water quality standards and ensure that discharges do not harm water resources.

The EPA oversees the issuance of NPDES permits, while many states also have their own permitting programs that may be authorized by the EPA. In such cases, the state agencies may issue permits in adherence to the federal guidelines set forth by the EPA. However, the fundamental authority for the NPDES program resides with the EPA itself.

Understanding this process is essential for managing water quality and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, making it clear that the EPA plays a central and authoritative role in the issuance of NPDES permits.