National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is a program under the Clean Water Act that regulates point source pollution by requiring permits for any entity discharging pollutants into U.S. waters.
Related terms
Effluent Limitations: Restrictions on the quantity or concentration of pollutants that can be discharged from point sources.
Best Management Practices (BMPs): Techniques or measures implemented by industries or municipalities to minimize pollution from their activities.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): A calculation determining the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive while still meeting water quality standards.
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