PFAS criteria and other values
Wastewater discharge (effluent)

Wastewater discharge (effluent) criteria

Last updated: September 2026

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is responsible for regulating discharges of pollutants to groundwaters, lakes, rivers, and streams and all other watercourses, including the Great Lakes, within the jurisdiction of this state (water of the state). Anyone discharging wastewater into waters of the state is required by law to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or a groundwater discharge authorization.

The NPDES and Groundwater programs regulate discharges into waters of the state by limiting pollutants, including some PFAS, and requiring other protections or monitoring.

• The application of limitations within each discharge permit may vary based on the pollutants in the discharge and the specific water of the state associated with the discharge. 
• EGLE’s Water Resources Division establishes limits for each pollutant of concern taking into account water quality and available treatment technology.
• Requirements specific to each discharge are also incorporated into the permit or authorization.

EGLE has developed several compliance strategies to address PFAS in discharges.  To learn more, visit our PFAS information related to NPDES page.