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Wastewater discharges from industrial and commercial facilities may be contaminated with pollutants that could negatively affect surface waters or publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). EPA sets limits on the pollutants that may be discharged from industrial sources through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. Many states have been authorized to run their own wastewater permitting program and must meet these limitations.
Industrial and commercial sources that discharge wastewater directly to receiving waters will need to obtain an individual or general NPDES permit. However, industrial and commercial sources that discharge wastewater to the municipal sewer system (indirect dischargers) will be covered by the NPDES pretreatment program.