This does not necessarily mean that a household must obtain a permit to connect to a city sewer, but the facilities where discharges go directly into surface waters must obtain a permit. The reason for obtaining a permit is to protect public health and the nation's waters. Pretreatment - The National Pretreatment Program is a cooperative effort of federal, state, and local regulatory environmental agencies established to protect water quality. The program is designed to reduce the level of pollutants discharged by industry and other non-domestic wastewater sources into municipal sewer systems, and thereby, reduce the amount of pollutants released into the environment through wastewater. Water Efficiency - Efficient water use can have major environmental, public health, and economic benefits by helping to improve water quality, maintain aquatic ecosystems, and protect drinking water resources, As we face increasing risks to ecosystems and their biological integrity, the inextricable link between water quality and water quantity becomes more important.
Water efficiency is one way of addressing water quality and quantity goals.
The efficient use of water can also prevent pollution by reducing wastewater flows, recycling industrial process water, reclaiming wastewater, and using less energy. EPA established the Urban Wet Weather Flows Federal Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on how to address cross-cutting issues associated with these discharges. The Committee's recommendations will help EPA in developing wet weather discharge programs that are flexible and cost-effective, while working to further the water quality objectives of the Clean Water Act. Small Communities - Protecting public health and improving water quality are the major goals of the Clean Water Act. Small communities and Indian Tribes often experience difficulty in achieving these goals.