EPA published on Dec. 31, 2003, its preliminary Effluent Guidelines Plan for 2004/2005 in the Federal Register.
The preliminary plan describes the current status of EPA's planning for the effluent guidelines program, presents the results of EPA's annual review of the effluent guidelines it has already promulgated for industrial categories, and identifies industrial categories that EPA expects to investigate further for the possible development or revision of effluent limitations guidelines.
EPA publishes an Effluent Guidelines Plan every other year. The plan is required by Section 304(m) of the Clean Water Act. Effluent guidelines are national regulations that control the discharge of pollutants to surface waters and to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Effluent guidelines are specific to an industry. EPA writes effluent guidelines for all types of industrial discharges — from manufacturing, agricultural, and service industries.
The effluent guidelines program is one of EPA's most successful environmental protection programs. Effluent guidelines have helped reverse the water quality degradation that accompanied industrialization in this country. These regulations reduce the discharge of pollutants that have serious environmental impacts, including pollutants that:
• Kill or impair fish and other aquatic organisms;
• Cause health problems through contaminated water, fish, or shellfish; and
• Degrade aquatic ecosystems
You can view or download the complete text of the Federal Register notice and major supporting documents on the Internet at www.epa.gov/guide/plan. html.
