What is the NPDES program?
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, program is the program set out under section 402 of the Clean Water Act that requires that pollutant discharges to surface waters be authorized by permit. The Clean Water Act intends for states to run the NPDES program, but provides for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do so when states elect not to. With EPA’s approval of Alaska’s application, the State will begin to implement the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) program.
