Livestock Nutrient Management Program

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Updated: May 2, 2008

NPDES CAFO Permit

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program was created under the federal Clean Water Act to protect and improve water quality by regulating point source dischargers.  Point source dischargers are operations that discharge pollutants from discrete conveyances directly into waters of the United States.  Point source dischargers are regulated by NPDES permits.

An NPDES permit:

  • Identifies wastewater discharges to surface waters from the point source facility

  • Sets requirements designed to protect water quality (such as discharge limits, management practices and recordkeeping requirements) that the discharger must meet

  • Allows an operation to discharge pollutants as long as the operation meets the requirements in the permit.

  • NPDES CAFO permit prohibits discharges except under certain limited conditions.

If a facility discharges pollutants without having a permit, or has a permit but does not meet the requirements, it is violating the Clean Water Act.  Its owner or operator could be subject to enforcement.

NPDES CAFO Permit Information

Federal CAFO Permit Information

Washington State CAFO Permit Information

Jon Jennings, CAFO Permit Coordinator (360) 407-6426
Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program
PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA  98504-7600

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