"The US Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected EPA “end result” sewage permits issued under the Clean Water Act that focus on water quality instead of outlining specific requirements to prevent pollution.
In a fractured 5-4 ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito, the court blocked the EPA from issuing permits that make a permittee responsible for surface water quality, or “end result” permits—a term the court coined in the ruling. National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits govern pollution from sewer overflows during storms.
Determining specific steps a permittee must take to meet water quality standards are the EPA’s responsibility, the court ruled.
The ruling is a partial win for San Francisco, which challenged nonspecific, or “narrative,” wastewater permits the Environmental Protection Agency issues to protect surface water quality. The city wanted the EPA to specify measures it needed to take to prevent its sewage overflow system from polluting the Pacific Ocean, but the EPA issued only narrative permits."
Bobby Magill reports for Bloomberg Environment March 4, 2025.
SEE ALSO:
"Supreme Court Deals Blow to E.P.A. in Dispute Over Federal Water Rules" (New York Times)
"Supreme Court Strikes Down EPA Rules On Discharge Of Water Pollution" (Washington Post)
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