• Effluent guidelines are wastewater discharge standards based on the types of contaminants that are common for an industry.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits use effluent limitations as the main way to control discharges of pollutants to receiving waters. In setting the limits, the permit writer considers both the technology available to control the pollutants and limits that protect the water quality standards of the receiving water.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes effluent limitations guidelines and standards for different industrial categories. The guidelines are based on the degree of pollutant reduction attainable by an industrial category through the application of pollutant control technologies.

Effluent guidelines program plans

Effluent guidelines are wastewater discharge standards based on the types of contaminants that are common for a particular industry. The regulations are technology-based and encompass the greatest pollutant reductions that are economically achievable for an industry.

The effluent guideline standards for direct dischargers are incorporated into their NPDES permit issued by federal EPA or their state. Indirect dischargers must also obtain permits and may have to take other control measures.

Clean Water Act (CWA) 304(b) requires EPA to annually review and, if appropriate, revise effluent guidelines. EPA publishes a plan every other year, establishing a schedule for annual review and revision, pursuant to 304(m). This plan also identifies industries discharging more than trivial amounts of toxic or nonconventional pollutants, such as nutrients, for which the Agency has not yet promulgated effluent guidelines. EPA is required to establish a schedule for completing effluent guidelines for these industries within three years.