§ 1.49 Office of Water.

The Office of Water, under the supervision of the Assistant Administrator for Water who serves as the principal adviser to the Administrator in matters pertaining to water programs, is responsible for management of EPA's water programs. Functions of the Office include program policy development and evaluation; environmental and pollution source standards development; program policy guidance and overview; technical support; and evaluation of Regional water activities; the conduct of compliance and permitting activities as they relate to drinking water and water programs; development of programs for technical assistance and technology transfer; development of selected demonstration programs; economic and long-term environmental analysis; and marine and estuarine protection.

(a) Office of Water Enforcement and Permits. The Office of Water Enforcement and Permits, under the supervision of a Director, develops policies, strategies, procedures and guidance for EPA and State compliance monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement programs for the Clean Water Act and the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act. The Office also provides national program direction to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The office has overview responsibilities and provides technical assistance to the regional activities in both enforcement and permitting programs.

(b) Office of Water Regulations and Standards. The Office of Water Regulations and Standards, under the supervision of a Director, is responsible for the Agency's water regulations and standards functions. The Office is responsible for developing an overall program strategy for the achievement of water pollution abatement in cooperation with other appropriate program offices. The Office assures the coordination of all national water-related activities within this water program strategy, and monitors national progress toward the achievement of water quality goals and is responsible for the development of effluent guidelines and water quality standards, and other pollutant standards, regulations, and guidelines within the program responsibilities of the Office. It exercises overall responsibility for the development of effective State and Regional water quality regulatory control programs. The Office is responsible for the development and maintenance of a centralized water programs data system including compatible water quality, discharger, and program data files utilizing, but not displacing, files developed and maintained by other program offices. It is responsible for developing national accomplishment plans and resource and schedule guidelines for monitoring and evaluating the performance, progress, and fiscal status of the organization in implementing program plans. The Office represents EPA in activities with other Federal agencies concerned with water quality regulations and standards.