Outfall

File:Bell Wharf CSO outfall in London.jpg

Outfall with a flap valve at River Thames in London

An outfall is the discharge point of a storm drain or waste stream into a body of water. In the United Kingdom, the term may also apply to discharges from a "watercourse", which may be a river, stream or canal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

United States permit requirements

File:FlorhamParkSewerageUtilityOutfall.webm

Outfall from a sewage plant discharging to Passaic River in New Jersey

In the United States, point sources may not discharge pollutants to surface waters without a permit issued through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), as required by the Clean Water Act.<ref>United States. Template:USPL Approved October 18, 1972.</ref> Most NPDES permits are issued by state environmental agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues permits in some locations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Point sources include industrial facilities; service industries; municipal governments (particularly sewage treatment plants and stormwater outfalls); other government facilities such as military bases; and some agricultural facilities, such as animal feedlots.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Further

See also

• Combined sewer
• Greywater
• Marine outfall
• Night soil
• River mouth