National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
As authorized by the Clean Water Act (CWA)Opens in new window, the NPDES Permit Program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Examples of pollutants include, but are not limited to, rock, sand, dirt, and agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste discharged into waters of the United States. Please reference section 122.2Opens in new window of 40 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.)Opens in new window for the actual definitions of point source, pollutant, and water of the United States.
The NPDES Program is a federal program which has been delegated to the State of California for implementation through the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), collectively Water Boards. In California, NPDES permits are also referred to as waste discharge requirements (WDRs) that regulate discharges to waters of the United States.
Since its introduction in 1972, the NPDES Program has been responsible for significant improvements to our nation's and state’s water quality.
On January 10, 1995, the Stockton City Council and County Board of Supervisors (Co-Permittees) jointly approved Agreement No. A-95-50, "Memorandum of Understanding for Filing as Co-Permittees for an NPDES Permit (Permit). The Permit regulates storm water discharges from the Stockton Urbanized Area (SUA). The Co-Permittees have jurisdiction and maintenance responsibilities for storm drains in the SUA and thereby have joint responsibilities and benefits under the Permit. Therefore, they are required to enter into an MOU which defines their respective roles and responsibilities as a condition of the Permit.
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region, issued the first joint City/County NPDES Permit on February 24, 1995 (Order No. 95-035 CA0082597) and has since issued several subsequent Permits. Following each Permit issuance, the City and County entered into MOU agreements as Co-Permittees to the Permit. The most recent MOU Agreement between the City of Stockton and San Joaquin Count was on September 25, 2018.
To view the NPDES document, click hereOpens in new window.