EPA's water pollution control methods are derived from water quality monitoring and other scientific studies performed by the Agency in cooperation with state, local and tribal authorities. One of the most common forms of water pollution control is the treatment wastewater from homes, businesses and industry. Municipal plants treat and purify wastewater before it is released back into streams, rivers and lakes. Additional control measures include pretreatment of waste at industrial facilities before it is released into the wastewater system. New treatment technologies are also under development, including the use of biological treatments such as carbon adsorption, distillation and reverse osmosis. These treatments allow for the re-use of formerly toxic wastewater for industrial and agricultural purposes.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Source Water Protection
  Provides information about source water protection.
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
  Information about the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
• Wastewater Management
  OWM oversees a wide range of programs contributing to the well - being of the nation's waters and watersheds.

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