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

• Office of Wastewater Management Homepage
  OWM oversees a wide range of programs contributing to the well - being of the nation's waters and watersheds.
• Wastewater Primer
  Provides information on Office of Wastewater Management programs.
• 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.