Non-Domestic Wastewater/NPDES

Non-Domestic Wastewater/National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program

The Non-Domestic Wastewater/NPDES Program's Mission: To Protect Broward County's Water Resources by Reducing Storm water/Nonpoint Source Pollution.

Program Description: 

The Program is responsible for licensing all facilities with non-domestic direct discharges entering Broward County's ground and surface waters. Additionally, program staff coordinate the County's NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit with 26 municipalities, FDOT, and Broward Municipal Service District (BMSD). This storm water program is designed to identify urban non-point source pollution and abate sources through Best Management Practices. 

The MS4 permit was first issued December 1996 and summarizes the program activities for the next five years.  The current Broward County MS4 Permit (cycle 4) was issued on January 5, 2017.
 Development and Environmental Review Approval
This county-wide activity takes place prior to the issuance of a building permit by the County or any municipal building department. Plans are reviewed for compliance with all environmental requirements and plat approval conditions. Additionally, impact/concurrency fees may be assessed if required. 

Details on submitting a plan review.   
Cooling Towers
Property owners shall obtain a cooling tower license to operate a new cooling tower including tower replacement after May 31st, 2012. Licenses shall be renewed annually on or before March 31st each year.  
Broward County’s licensing requirements. 
 Outreach and Public Engagement
The Broward County Resilient Environment ​Department engages in numerous outreach activities. This year, as part of our MS4 permit, we are focusing on pet waste or “Scoop the Poop” campaign.


​Reporting Environmental Concerns in the County

Environmental complaints can be reported 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to 954-519-1499 or online using the Online Co​mplaint Form. Regular business hours are from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.  Please call the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000 during regular business hours.
Prohibitions
No new non-domestic discharges have been allowed in Broward County since 1984 except for a limited number of facilities who have successfully petitioned for a variance from the Broward County Code of Ordinances. A variance is required to receive a license for any new non-domestic direct discharge. Following the successful petition for a variance, the business owner may apply for a license.  

Renewal applications for previously issued licenses must be submitted annually. 

Non-domestic (industrial) activity forms can be found on the forms sect​ion of the Environmental Permitting Division's site. 

​