in Mississippi

handle without a violation of water quality standards. § 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires
the identification of water bodies not meeting their designated use and the development of
TMDLs. Under this act states, territories, and authorized tribes are required to develop lists of
impaired waters every two years (i.e., § 303(d) list). The states identify all waters where required
pollution controls are not sufficient to attain or maintain applicable water quality standards.
States are required to establish priorities for development of TMDLs for waters on the 303(d)
List (40 C.F.R. §130.7(b)(4)). Many times, nonprofit statewide environmental groups or
watershed organizations have taken on significant responsibility in the development of the
TMDL document and supporting analysis
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
§ 402 of the CWA specifically required EPA to develop and implement the NPDES program.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water
pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the U.S. Point
sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or manufactured ditches. Individual homes that
are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do
not need an NPDES permit. However, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain
permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. In most cases, authorized states
administer the NPDES permit program. The chart below shows Mississippi’s program:
State
Mississippi
Approved
State NPDES
Permit
Program
Approved to
Regulate
Federal
Facilities
Approved State
Pretreatment
Program
Approved
General
Permits
Program
Approved
Biosolids
(Sludge)
Program
The Clean Water Act § 402 (b) and 40 C.F.R. § 123 authorizes Mississippi through a specially
defined process. Municipal staff is responsible for meeting NPDES permit obligations. They rely
on assistance from other partners, such as industry, developers, and homeowners, to ensure that
they can meet the requirements contained in their municipal NPDES permits.
The regulations pertaining to the pretreatment program are found in 40 C.F.R. § 403. This
includes the pretreatment standards and limits, prohibited discharge standards, categorical
pretreatment standards, and local limits.
ON-SITE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (SEPTIC TANKS)
Title 41, Chapter 67 of the Mississippi Code governs on-site wastewater disposal in Mississippi.
Mississippi relies on septic systems and other types of individual onsite waste disposal systems
(IOWDS) to process wastewater. If the controlling authority improperly installs or maintains
these systems, they can sometimes cause polluted runoff.
The Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) has primary responsibility over onsite wastewater
treatment systems in the state. MDH regulates individual wastewater systems such as those used
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