POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM ACT

Added new definitions for 'gray water', 'produced water', 'compensatory mitigation', and 'water contaminant' to clarify what substances are regulated and what exemptions apply.

Created a new 'neglected and contaminated sites fund' to finance cleanup of polluted sites using recovered penalties and settlements.

Added exemptions for small-scale gray water use (under 250 gallons per day) for household gardening and landscape irrigation if specific safety conditions are met.

Required permits to be denied if discharges would exceed downstream state or tribal water quality standards, protecting neighboring jurisdictions.

Added new notice requirements for permit applications including public hearings and notifications to affected communities in both English and Spanish.

Increased civil penalties for violations and added criminal penalties including felony charges for knowing violations that cause substantial environmental harm.

Expanded permit exemptions for agricultural activities, mining operations, and silviculture while maintaining requirements for toxic pollutant discharges.

Established rules for potable reuse of treated wastewater with specific performance standards for pathogen removal and treatment barriers.