The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was established by Congress under the Federal Clean Water Act. 

The NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources, such as, pipes or man-made ditches, that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.

This program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation's water quality and making surface water safe for drinking, fishing, swimming and other activities.

The Sacramento River is our watershed and supplies two thirds of the drinking water for the

State of California.  Surface water improvement means reducing stormwater pollutants such as; motor oil, yard clippings, fertilizers and pesticides, milky water from paint, soapy car wash water, eroded sediment from construction projects, litter and pet waste.

The permit is a report which details the progress the City of Redding has made on the Stormwater Quality Improvement Plan.  Improving and protecting stormwater quality is carried out through several facets including but not limited to:

• Public Education - inform the public, businesses and industry about stormwater, the impacts of stormwater pollution on local waterways
• Public Involvement - provide the community with opportunities to get involved in the stormwater program
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - identify and eliminate illicit stormwater discharges and connections
• Construction Stormwater Runoff - reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff and eliminate non-stormwater discharges from construction activities
• New Development and Redevelopment - lessen the long-term impacts of stormwater discharges from urban development and redevelopment
• Municipal Operations - implement good housekeeping measure to reduce pollutants from municipal activities

For more information, check out the EPA Stormwater site at www.epa.gov/guide/stormwater/.

We can all help the Sacramento Watershed by Remembering...

 Sacramento Watershed in Redding California

View the Stormwater Quality Improvement Plan here: swqip2003

Read the Annual NPDES report: NPDES Annual Report for 2008-2009