What does the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) do?

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a program under the Clean Water Act that specifically regulates discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Its primary purpose is to control water pollution by requiring permits for the discharge of pollutants from point sources, such as industrial facilities, sewage treatment plants, and stormwater systems.

The NPDES sets specific limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that can be released, ensuring that water quality standards are met to protect aquatic life and human health. By regulating these discharges, the NPDES helps to prevent contamination of rivers, lakes, and oceans, which is vital for preserving the ecosystem and providing safe drinking water.

Other choices, while related to environmental regulation and protection, do not accurately describe the specific function of the NPDES. For instance, regulating greenhouse gas emissions pertains more to climate change initiatives, monitoring surface water quality is a part of broader environmental assessments but does not involve the permit regulation the NPDES provides, and imposing penalties for violations relates to enforcement actions rather than the direct regulation of pollutant discharges. Thus, the role of the NPDES is uniquely focused on managing water pollution through discharge permits.