Why and How is it regulated?
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. Law to address water pollution. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in 1970. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. The law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA).
The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit is obtained. EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls discharges and contains the regulations that authorize individual states to implement their own discharge program.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control, regulates and permits discharges from NJ Municipalities through its Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program.
Stormwater that discharges from Rockaway Township is permitted under NJPDES Authorization No. NJG01501246 (NJDEP Category R9 - Tier A Municipal Stormwater General Permit), issued under the authority of Stormwater NJPDeS Master General Permit No. NJ0141852.
Rockaway Township Stormwater Outfall Map
Below are some permit requirements for both residents and business owners:
