Learn the Issues

National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative: Reducing Significant Non-Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits

This page describes EPA's enforcement activities on water pollution from raw sewage and contaminated stormwater. This is one of EPA's National Compliance Initiatives. Both enforcement cases, and a map of enforcement actions are provided.

Utilizing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to Support Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) Compliance

These webinar slides provide an overview of the LCRI and cover how the DWSRF can be used to comply with the upcoming regulation at its compliance deadline of November 1st, 2027. (December 2024)

Financial Capability Assessment Framework for Municipal Clean Water Act Requirements

Provides greater clarify on the flexibilities built into the financial capability assessment guidance that local governments or authorities can use in assessing their financial capability.

Implementation of Integrated Planning and Green Infrastructure through Enforcement Tools

The purpose of this memorandum is to ensure consistent implementation of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act which requires EPA to inform municipalities of the opportunity to develop an integrated plan and to promote the use of green infrastructure.

Public Outreach for Integrated Wastewater and Stormwater Planning

This report focuses on the essential element of public outreach in the integrated planning process. Includes case studies from Burlington, Vermont and Onondaga County, New York.

Process for Issuing Small MS4 Permits

This chart describes the process for developing and administering small MS4 general permits for permit writers using either the comprehensive (one-step) or two-step approach.

Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework

Provides guidance for EPA, states, and local governments to develop and implement effective integrated plans under the CWA. This framework was finalized after extensive public input including a series of workshops across the country.

Implementation of Integrated Planning in Accordance with the 2019 Water Infrastructure Improvement Act

This memorandum highlights new provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), signed into law on January 14, 2019, and how EPA will continue to support communities and states on integrated planning and green infrastructure.

Estimating Users of Water Resources: Springfield–Greene County Data Collection Plan

This data collection plan provides next steps for the Springfield and Green County project partners and ideas for other communities on how to collect water resource user data to help support an integrated planning process.

Combined Sewer Overflows - Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development

Provides an aid for assessing financial capability as part of negotiating schedules for CWA requirements for municipalities and local authorities.

Achieving Water Quality Through Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Plans

Memorandum from EPA headquarters to regional offices to work with states and communities to get the most effective and cost-effective approaches for meeting the Agency's shared objective of clean water that protects public health and the environment.

Prioritizing Wastewater and Stormwater Projects Using Stakeholder Input

This report describes how communities can use stakeholder input to select and rank criteria and apply those criteria to prioritize stormwater and wastewater projects.

Estimating the Value of Water: A Literature Review

This document describes the methodology and results of a literature review of relevant studies that examined how communities similar to Springfield estimated their water resource value.

Integrated Planning: Characterizing the Value of Water to Inform Decision-Making

This document presents approaches for quantifying water resource users and estimating the value of water resources. Includes examples from the City of Springfield and Green County, Missouri.

Marine Debris Campus Toolkit

The Marine Debris Campus Toolkit is a detailed “how to” guide for reducing plastic waste on college campuses and other institutions.

Cahokia Heights 2024 Clean Water Act Case Summary

Cahokia Heights, IL Clean Water Act Settlement Summary

Impaired Waters and TMDLs in the Pacific Southwest (Region 9)

An overview of impaired waters and TMDLs in EPA's Pacific Southwest, Region 9, serving Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.

Reducing Significant Non-Compliance (SNC) with NPDES Permits - Resources for NPDES Permittees and Other Organizations

Contains resources for NPDES Permittees and Other Organizations relative to the National Compliance Initiative: Reducing Significant Non-Compliance (SNC) with NPDES Permits.

Criminal Enforcement Videos

On this page is provided criminal case files videos and special agent training videos.

NPDES Permit Status Reports

These reports show the backlog status nationwide, based on EPA databases and input from EPA regions and states. The reports show a snapshot in time, keep in mind that the status of facilities and the universe of permits change.