What does a "compliance order" indicate regarding wastewater discharge?

A "compliance order" signifies a formal directive that requires a facility to address and correct any identified deficiencies in their operations that do not meet regulatory standards. This order typically follows observations of non-compliance during inspections, monitoring, or reporting. It outlines the specific violations and mandates that the entity take particular steps within a designated timeline to remedy these issues, thereby ensuring that wastewater discharge conforms with environmental regulations and protects public health.

The relevance of a compliance order lies in its role as a tool for regulatory agencies to enforce environmental laws and promote adherence to standards. By compelling facilities to rectify their compliance issues, these orders help maintain the integrity of wastewater management systems and prevent pollution of water bodies.

In contrast, renewal of permits pertains to the periodic re-evaluation of existing operating licenses, approval for discharge expansion relates to obtaining new permissions for increased discharge volumes, and permission for temporary discharge involves limited or short-term allowances that may not address underlying compliance issues. Thus, those options do not convey the urgent corrective action that a compliance order necessitates.