Discharge

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-008110",
  "term": "Discharge",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The release of any waste into the environment from a point source. Usually refers to the release of a liquid waste into a body of water through an outlet such as a pipe, but also refers to air emissions.\n\n2. Flow of surface water in a stream or canal or the outflow of groundwater from a flowing artesian well, ditch, or spring. Can also apply to discharge of liquid effluent from a facility or to chemical emissions into the air through designated venting mechanisms.\n\n3. Any emission (other than natural seepage), intentional or unintentional, and includes, but is not limited to, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping. For purposes of this part, the term \"discharge\" shall not include any discharge of oil which is authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Section 13 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 (30 Stat. 1121, 33 U.S.C. 407), or Sections 402 or 405 of the FWPCA Amendments of 1972 (86 Stat. 816 et seq., 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).\n\n4. Flow of surface water in a stream or canal or the outflow of ground water from a flowing artesian well, ditch, or spring. Can also apply to discharge of liquid effluent from a facility or to chemical emissions into the air through designated venting mechanisms.\n\n5. Any emission (other than natural seepage), intentional or unintentional. Includes, but is not limited to, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping.\n\n6. Defined by section 311(a)(2) of the CWA, includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of oil, but excludes discharges in compliance with a permit under section 402 of the CWA, discharges resulting from circumstances identified and reviewed and made a part of the public record with respect to a permit issued or modified under section 402 of the CWA, and subject to a condition in such permit, or continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 402 of the CWA, that are caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems. For purposes of the NCP, discharge also means substantial threat of discharge. [40 CFR 300.5 (CFR 2013)]\n\n7. When used without qualification means the “discharge of a pollutant.”\n\n8. Water-borne pollutants released to a receiving stream directly or indirectly or to a sewerage system.\n\n9. Includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping. [40 CFR 109.2 (CFR 2013)]\n\n10. Includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of oil, but excludes discharges in compliance with a permit under section 402 of the CWA; discharges resulting from circumstances identified, reviewed, and made a part of the public record with respect to a permit issued or modified under section 402 of the CWA, and subject to a condition in such permit; or continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 402 of the CWA, that are caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems. For purposes of this part, the term discharge shall not include any discharge of oil that is authorized by a permit issued under section 13 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 407).\n\n11. Includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping, but excludes (A) discharges in compliance with a permit under section 402 of this Act, (B) discharges resulting from circumstances identified and reviewed and made a part of the public record with respect to a permit issued or modified under section 402 of this Act, and subject to a condition in such permit, and (C) continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 402 of this Act, which are caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems. [40 CFR 116.3 (CFR 2013)]\n\n12. An unintended environmental release.\n\n13. Includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping;\n\n14. Accidental or intentional spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of hazardous waste into or on any land or water.\n\n15. Discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste or hazardous waste into or on any land or water so that such solid waste or hazardous waste or any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including ground waters.\n\n16. The term \"discharge\" means any discharge of dredged or fill material.",
  "subject": "Water",
  "see_also": [
    "Indirect Discharge"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Environmental Issues Terms & Acronyms",
    "Sediment Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Glossary; Urban Watershed Management Research Terminology",
    "Oil Pollution Prevention Glossary",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "Glossary: Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources; DWMAPS Glossary",
    "40 CFR Appendix E to Part 300 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 122.2 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 240.101 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 113.3 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 112.2 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 118 (CFR 2024)",
    "Adapted from Lifecycle Assessment Principles and Practices Glossary",
    "40 CFR 140.1 (CFR 2018)",
    "40 CFR 260.10 (CFR 2020)",
    "Aquatic Resources Awareness Course for Real Estate Appraisers Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/discharge/"
}