NPDES Annual Reports
The NPDES or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program is federally mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act was originally drafted to regulate point source discharges from locations such as sewage treatment plants and industrial facilities into the waters of the U.S. These point source discharges are required to obtain an NPDES permit that outlines required discharge limits and monitoring requirements.
In 1987, Congress adopted Amendments to the Clean Water Act that emphasized nonpoint source discharges. Under the 1987 Amendments, permit requirements were established for stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), or stormdrain systems from large (populations greater than 250,000) and medium (populations greater than 100,000 and less than 250,000) municipalities. As a medium municipality, Harford County began the lengthy two-part permit application process in 1992. The application process involved such activities as mapping the County storm sewer systems, identifying the stormwater management facilities, and implementing a water quality monitoring program. The second part of the process built upon the inventory of data and focused on program implementation.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been established as the permitting agency for Maryland that includes thirteen counties designated as large or medium municipalities. Harford County received its first generation NPDES permit on May 17, 1994. The permit outlined such activities as long term water quality monitoring, public outreach of water quality issues, and watershed studies. Every five (5) years the County must resubmit an application for its NPDES permit. Harford County received its second generation NPDES permit on August 13, 1999 and its third generation NPDES permit on November 1, 2004.
Annually, Harford County Water Resources which administers the County’s municipal NPDES program is required to submit a report to MDE about the progress of the programs outlined in the County’s permit.
 Third Generation Permit (2005-2009)
List of Appendices:
Second Generation Permit (2000-2004)
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