National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Discharge Permit

A wastewater discharge permit is required for disposal of waste material into "waters of the state," which include rivers, lakes, streams, and all underground waters and aquifers.  The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is delegated by the U.S. EPA as the state water pollution control agency and is responsible for implementing all federal and state water pollution control laws and regulations.  Wastewater and stormwater discharges are regulated primarily by wastewater discharge permits, which stipulate specific limits and conditions of allowable discharge.

The City of Ferndale's NPDES Permit outlines the requirements for operating our wastewater treatment plant and discharge of the treated water to the Nooksack River.  The City's most recent permit was issued on April 28, 2009 and is effective from May 1, 2009 until May 1, 2014.  A copy of the City's active NPDES permit can be viewed here.  The DOE also publishes a fact sheet that explains and documents the decisions the DOE made in drafting the proposed NPDES permit for the City's wastewater treatment plant.  A copy of that Fact Sheet can also be viewed here.