An environmental permit is utilized to control emissions to air, land and water ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. Specific constituent limits are assigned for each permit which comply with Federal and State of Alabama standards. If you need additional information please contact our Permits Division.
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes that states are to list (the 303(d) list) waters for which technology-based limits alone do not ensure attainment of applicable water quality standards (WQS). The 303(d) list is to be submitted by the states to EPA on April 1 of each even numbered year. The 303(d) list includes priority rankings set by the state for the listed waters.
October 1, 2025 Update: The ADEM school and daycare lead testing program is no longer receiving and analyzing samples. We thank all of you that participated in this successful program! Childcare centers are encouraged to continue with EPA’s 3Ts program, and to utilize one of the state’s certified laboratories for testing.
ADEM employees are State merit system employees and are hired through the State of Alabama's Personnel Department. Opportunities for great careers are available with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
Download our brochure on ADEM Career Benefits for more information.
The Air Division is charged with the responsibility of insuring that Alabama's air quality meets federal standards. The Air Division has several QA/QC methods that can be used in order to analyze the quality of Alabama's air. Computer models use air emissions to simulate what the ground-level concentrations of a pollutant(s) would be using meteorological data and terrain information. Stack tests are conducted to measure the actual levels of emissions that are being released by a facility. Emission inventories use the past year's actual emissions to analyze emission trends.
The Municipal Section manages the NPDES program for municipal (point source and municipal stormwater) and non-industrial sources such as semi-public and private facilities.
Alabama Water and Wastewater Rates Dashboard
ADEM supports the MBNEP through participation on their Policy Committee, Management Committee and various working groups. The Department assisted in the preparation of the NEP comprehensive monitoring plan and is a cooperator in an atmospheric deposition monitoring effort. Departmental staff also provide vital links between the NEP and the various ADEM environmental programs, the Gulf of Mexico Program and the Alabama Coastal Programs.
Here are some additional sites you might like to visit as you learn more about how to protect Alabama's waterways.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Coast Guard