New EPA rule requires electronic reporting of Clean Water Act data

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said late last week that it has finalized a rule to require municipalities, industries and other facilities to report data required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, under the Clean Water Act, electronically.

“Electronic reporting will give the public full transparency into water-pollution sources, save millions of dollars and lead to better water quality in American communities,” EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Assistant Administrator Cynthia Giles said.

In addition to saving an estimated $22.6 million for the 46 states that can administer the NPDES program, this change in reporting methods also will make the data more easily available to the public, as it will be accessible on the EPA’s website.

“This rule will significantly reduce the burden and costs of paperwork, freeing up limited resources for states and other regulatory authorities to focus on the most serious water-quality problems,” Giles said. “After more than two years of working closely with states and a range of stakeholders, today we take a critical step to bring clean-water protection into the modern age.”

EPA Testimony Statements -- http://www.epa.gov/ocir/hearings/testimony/113_2013_2014/2013_2.htm