Some Water Pollution is Okay: The NPDES

The NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) is a permitting system in the United States governed by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. This permitting system allows entities to pollute, but is regulated in the frequency, type, and amount. Nature CAN break down pollution on her own, and this system takes advantage of that fact. Unfortunately, our technology today hasn't figured out how to eliminate all pollution, which would be the ultimate goal. However, the NPDES system works as well as it can to address human society's needs for waste disposal and also to protect the environment.
Before watching this video, it would be best to watch a video overview of the Clean Water Act.
• Clean Water Act - Part 1 (15:46) - • Clean Water Act - Part 1
• Clean Water Act - Part 2 (15:11) - • Clean Water Act - Part 2

[@kevina.2269]

I wonder how pollutants that don't go away go like PFAS, glass, or microplatstics (100-1000 years to degrade) are factored into how long a water way is impaired.

[@ProfessorNewtoff]

That's a great question! And I'm not to sure. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they were regulated (PFAs and microplastics) because of just how "new" they are. Glass likely wouldn't be approved since there are other waste streams (no pun intended) for solid waste.