Wastewater is the spent or used water from homes, communities, farms and businesses that contains enough harmful material to damage the water's quality. Wastewater includes both domestic sewage and industrial waste from manufacturing sources. Metals, organic pollutants, sediment, bacteria and viruses may all be found in wastewater. As a result, untreated wastewater can cause serious harm to the environment and threaten human life. EPA regulates the discharge and treatment of wastewater under the Clean Water Act. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) issues permits to all wastewater dischargers and treatment facilities. These permits establish specific discharge limits, monitoring and reporting requirements and may also require these facilities to undertake special measures to protect the environment from harmful pollutants.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Wastewater Management
  OWM oversees a wide range of programs contributing to the well - being of the nation's waters and watersheds.
• Sustainable Infrastructure for Water & Wastewater
  Drinking water treatment plants, sewer lines, drinking water distribution lines, and storage facilities ensure protection of public health and the environment.
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
  The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.

Drinking Water
Drinking Water System, Protection

Ground Water
Discharge, Hydrogeology, Protection, Runoff, Wells

Storm Water
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), Industrial Storm Water, Permits, Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs), Wet Weather Programs

Surface Water
Dumping, Marine Debris

Wastewater
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), Biosolids, Discharges, Effluent Guidelines, Effluents, Industrial Wastewater, Municipal Wastewater Treatment, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Permits, Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), Standards, Treatment, Wastewater Systems

Water Infrastructure

Water Pollution
Community Involvement, Cost Benefit Analysis, Data, Nonpoint Sources, Point Sources, Reporting, Testing, Transboundary Pollution

Water Pollution Control
Pretreatment, Remediation, Trading, Wastewater Treatment

Water Pollution Effects
Economic Effects, Environmental Effects, Health Effects

Water Pollution Legal Aspects
Compliance, Enforcement, Guidance, Legislation, Permits, Public Comment, Regulations, Standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

Water Quality Monitoring
Bioassessment, Criteria, Health Advisories, Models, Standards