National Pollutant Discharge Elimination

What is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program?

Polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40% of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. Over land or via storm sewer systems, polluted runoff is discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies. When left uncontrolled, this water pollution can result in the destruction of fish, wildlife, and aquatic life habitats; a loss in aesthetic value; and threats to public health due to contaminated food, drinking water supplies, and recreational waterways.

Mandated by Congress under the Clean Water Act, the NPDES Stormwater Program is a comprehensive two-phased national program for addressing the non-agricultural sources of stormwater discharges which adversely affect the quality of our nation's waters. The program uses the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting mechanism to require the implementation of controls designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by stormwater runoff into local water bodies.

What You Can Do to Help

The City currently has three staff personnel that can respond to a report of an illicit discharge into the City's stormwater system. 

If you are aware of or observe any of the following, please call the City at (386) 410-2812 or use our online from. You can make an anonymous report. You can also file a report with the EPA from this link.

  • Leaves or yard debris piled on top of a storm drain
  • Lawn services blowing debris into the street or storm drain
  • Anyone dumping anything into a storm drain
  • Odors or strong smells coming from a storm drain or outfall
  • Washing of Vehicles, where the runoff enters a storm drain
  • Excessive use of lawn fertilizer
  • Excessive fluids leaking from parked vehicles

Other Sources of Information

The City of New Smyrna Beach is an active participant and permit holder for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’S) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).