Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/18-260_jifl.pdf
Page Number: 44.0

Cite as:  590 U. S. ____ (2020) 

11 

ALITO, J., dissenting 

i.e., held within bounds, see Webster’s Third 476; Random 
House  308,  if  the  topography  of  the  land  in  question  im-
poses some boundaries on its flow.

If  the  term  “point  source”  is  read  in  this  way,  it  would
have a broad reach and would cover many of the cases that 
trouble the Court.  Moreover—and I find this point partic-
ularly  important—even  if  this  interpretation  fails  to  cap-
ture every case that seems to call out for regulation, that
would not mean that these cases would necessarily remain 
unchecked.  The States have the authority to regulate the 
discharge  of  pollutants  by  non-point  sources.  See  33 
U. S. C. §§1285(j), 1314(f ), 1329(i), 1329(b)(1), (h).  They are
entrusted with a vital role under the Clean Water Act, and 
there is no reason to believe that they would tolerate cases 
of abuse. 

The interpretation I have outlined is not only consistent
with the statutory language; it is strongly supported by the
Clean Water Act’s regulatory scheme for at least two rea-
sons.  First,  it  respects  Congress’  decision  to  treat  point-
source  pollution  differently  from  non-point-source  pollu-
tion, including pollution conveyed by groundwater.  See 84 
Fed. Reg. 16832.7  The Court itself recognizes this: 

“[T]he  structure  of  the  statute  indicates  that,  as  to 
groundwater  pollution  and  non[-]point  source  pollu-
tion, Congress intended to leave substantial responsi-
bility and autonomy to the States.”  Ante, at 6. 
“Over many decades, and with federal encouragement, 

—————— 

7 The Act contains a number of references to groundwater (a non-point 
source)  outside  the  NPDES  context.  The  Act  textually  distinguishes
groundwater  from  surface  water  and  navigable  waters,  §1252(a),  pro-
vides funding for state regulation of groundwater pollution, and suggests
that groundwater is a non-point source.  See §1329(h)(5)(D) (authorizing 
EPA  to  prioritize  grants  to  States  that  have  implemented  or  proposed
“carry[ing] out groundwater quality protection activities which [EPA] de-
termines are part of a comprehensive non[-]point source pollution control 
program”).