Federal Stormwater Regulations
Since 1972, the EPA's Clean Water Act has prohibited the discharge of any pollutant to waters of the United States unless the discharge is authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The NPDES program is a national permit program designed to regulate point source discharges.
Since its introduction, the NPDES permit program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation's water quality. Each state and municipal regulatory requirements pertaining to stormwater is based upon this federal regulation with additional provisions to address specific needs and conditions of watersheds within a region.
Here, you can learn about the federal laws behind stormwater, search through a comprehensive state by state summary of stormwater regulations, and find resources to assist you in understanding the regulatory market.
Stormwater Regulatory News Brief
Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act. The Act established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. More on the Clean Water Act.
In November 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted Phase I regulations requiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for stormwater discharges from certain industrial and construction sites. In December of 1999, EPA adopted Phase II regulations to address sites that were not covered under the Phase I regulations. Learn more about NPDES requirements.
Phase I - for large construction activates
Phase II – for small construction activity
The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization (CZAR)
The Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program addresses nonpoint pollution problems in coastal waters. The act requires communities in designated coastal management areas to establish Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs. Currently, 29 states and territories are required to develop a program. In the program, a state or territory describes how it will implement nonpoint source pollution controls, known as management measures, that conform with those described in Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters. This program is administered jointly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Learn more about the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization (CZAR)
As an owner, contractor or engineer, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) may require the implementation of more effective ways to control pollutants in water bodies that are classified as impaired. A TMDL is the amount of an impairing substance or pollutant that a water body can assimilate and still meet state or federal Water Quality Standards (WQSs). TMDLs are created by regulations that set the maximum amounts of pollutants that are allowed to be put into a watershed from both point and nonpoint sources. Learn more about TMDLs.