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Region 8

Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations

NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

   

National Information
Regional Information

** Visit www.epa.gov/region8/water/npdes/documents.html to view EPA Region 8 NPDES public notices **

The Clean Water Act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program to control the discharge of pollutants through implementation of water quality standards and Federal technology-based standards and requirements in a permitting system. These NPDES permits protect receiving waters from the discharge of toxic material in toxic amounts. For Publicly-Owned Treatment Works, or POTWs, these NPDES permits may establish pretreatment program requirements to protect the POTW and may also specify acceptable practices for the disposal of municipal sewage sludge, or biosolids. The Stormwater Program ensures that precipitation runoff from designated facilities does not cause adverse impacts.

NPDES Permitting - Picture of wastewater discharging from sewage treatment plant
The EPA NPDES Permitting Program directly issues permits for Federal Facilities in Colorado, Indian Country permits, and provides permit oversight activities for the Region 8 states.

 

 
Pretreatment - picture of a truck discharge waste
The Industrial Pretreatment Program ensures that discharges to the sanitary sewer system from industrial and commercial dischargers do not cause Pass Though of toxic pollutants or Interference with sewer system or treatment works and improve the opportunity for the benefical reuse of biosolids.
Biosolids picture of truck land applying biosolids
The Biosolids Program ensures that sewage sludge is of suffucient quality to protect public health and the environment. The program also promotes the beneficial reuse of biosolids.


The Stormwater Program requires management practices to ensure that pollutants are not transported in runoff from industrial facilities and urban storm water collection systems.

 
Animal Feeding Operations picture of cows
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) have become a significant environmental concern. EPA is focusing resources on these operations.


Region 8 NPDES Permitting Mailing Address:

Water Permits Unit (8P-W-WW)
US Environmental Protection Agency - Region 8
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1129
In Region 8 states: 1-800-227-8917

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