Storm water runoff can carry pollutants through the stormwater drainage system directly into local bayous, ditches, ponds, bay, ocean, lakes etc. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is a federal program that regulates stormwater discharge into these types of waterways.

To comply with this federal program, to received a permit to discharge stormwater and develop programs to reduce the discharge of pollutants carried by stormwater into local waterways. Read more about the EPA and related stormwater management activities at www.epa.gov