Outfall
 | The examples and perspectives in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (December 2025) |
An outfall is the discharge point of a storm drain or waste stream into a body of water. In the United Kingdom, the term may also apply to discharges from a "watercourse", which may be a river, stream or canal.[1]
United States permit requirements
[edit]In the United States, point sources may not discharge pollutants to surface waters without a permit issued through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), as required by the Clean Water Act.[2] Most NPDES permits are issued by state environmental agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues permits in some locations.[3]
Point sources include industrial facilities; service industries; municipal governments (particularly sewage treatment plants and stormwater outfalls); other government facilities such as military bases; and some agricultural facilities, such as animal feedlots.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Structure: Outfall". Bristol, UK: United Kingdom Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs. 2025-04-06.
- ↑ United States. Pub. L. 92–500: Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 Approved October 18, 1972.
- ↑ "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System". Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2025-06-03.
- ↑ "NPDES Permit Basics". EPA. 2025-06-03.