National Pollution Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)
Highlands County participates in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program through cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The NPDES program is a statewide program that is intended to protect waterways from a myriad of potential pollutants.
The County's role in the program is to engage in several key activities. These involve:
- Public education and outreach;
- Encourage public involvement and participation;
- Engage in illicit discharge detection and elimination;
- Establish minimum controls for construction site stormwater control, and;
- Engage in best management practices to eliminate and avoid pollution associated with municipal operations.
WHAT IS AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE?
For an informational flyer that you can download and share, What is an illicit discharge.
REPORT AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE
Please click here.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS?
To download the complete Stormwater Smart Brochure - Know What Happens brochure.
To learn more about the program
Visit the FDEP website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/
Visit the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/npdes
CONCERNS?
If you observe activities in your neighborhood or the community that you are concerned might pollute downstream lakes, streams, or other waterways, contact the Critical Infrastructure department at (863) 402-6877 and report the occurrence as a potential NPDES stormwater violation.
MORE INFORMATION
