National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 101

Summary: This is a 101-level training, suitable for river and watershed organizations, land trusts, tribal governments, and wildlife or lands groups interested in better understanding the power of one of the Clean Water Act’s core programs.

Point sources of pollution such as wastewater treatment plants, industrial facilities, concentrated animal feeding operations or stormwater systems, are regulated under the Clean Water Act’s NPDES program. This program has been fairly successful in reducing pollution from point sources, but there is still a long way to go. And progress relies on active engagement and watchdogging by watershed groups and others. In this webinar, you’ll learn the basics about how the NPDES program works and how you can use the program to protect or restore clean water in your watershed.

What will you learn in NPDES 101?

  • The basics about the Clean Water Act’s main program for controlling point source pollution – the NPDES program.
  • The different types of permits and the crucial elements of those permits
  • An introduction to how to review a permit and how you can submit comments
  • How to be in the loop when permits are issued in your watershed
  • Where to find additional resources to help you build your knowledge

Resource Materials