NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permits

Stormwater runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall and snow events often contain pollutants that could adversely affect water quality.  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are required for storm water discharges to surface waters from construction and industrial activities and municipalities if stormwater from rain or snow melt leaves your site through a "point source" and reaches surface waters either directly or through storm drainage.  A point source is a natural or human-made conveyance of water through such things as pipes, culverts, ditches, catch basins, or any other type of channel.