Federal and Washington State Surface and Stormwater Regulations
Contents
News Update
Ecology releases new draft NPDES permit - On Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Ecology released updated draft language for the 2007 NPDES permits. Comment period is until early February 2012. Final permit language is expected to be adopted by summer, 2012 and new requirements become effective July 1, 2013. See Department of Ecology 2012 Draft Municipal Stormwater General Permit Comment Period.
Overview of Regulations
Under the federal Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. The NPDES Stormwater Program requires the implementation of stormwater programs. For jurisdictions in Washington State, Phase I of the NPDES stormwater permit program applied to only six local governments. Phase II of the NPDES rules extended coverage to operators of regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) serving less than 100,000. See Washington State Department of Ecology webpage on Municipal Stormwater Permits, which provides information on who is covered by each of the permits.
Federal Regulations
- Summary of the Clean Water Act, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Wastewater Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington State Regulations
- Ch. 90.48 RCW, Washington State Water Pollution Control Act
- Stormwater, Washington State Department of Ecology
- Stormwater Management and Design Manuals - Western and EasternWashington manuals
- Ground and Surface Water Quality Information, Washington State Department of Ecology