What is a requirement of NPDES stormwater regulation?

The requirement that stormwater must be in a discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance is a fundamental aspect of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater regulations. This requirement is aimed at ensuring that stormwater discharges can be easily identified and managed to mitigate pollution and protect water quality. A recorded and defined system allows for better tracking, regulation, and management of the stormwater, helping to ensure compliance with water quality standards and facilitating effective monitoring.

By specifying the conditions under which stormwater can be collected and discharged, NPDES regulations help ensure that stormwater conveyance systems are designed to minimize erosion, sedimentation, and contamination of receiving water bodies. This is crucial for effective environmental protection and for reducing the negative impacts of urban runoff, which can carry pollutants into streams, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.

Other options do not encapsulate the specific regulatory framework of NPDES stormwater requirements in relation to conveyance systems, thereby not providing the clarity and direct oversight that compliance with NPDES seeks to establish.