ABSTRACT
The national effluent charge system is to go into effect on 1 January 1981. Presumably the objective of the system is to induce further reductions in discharges, beyond those achieved by the imposition of effluent standards by the states and/or with respect to substances not currently included in discharge permits. Effluent standards relating to individual activities–both for discharges into municipal wastewater treatment plants and for discharges directly into water bodies–are established by one or another of the regular state agencies. The extent of compliance with such standards and the types and extent of sanctions imposed for noncompliance are not clear. Effluent charges are imposed by the Genossenschaften–such as the Ruhrverband, the Ruhrtalsperrenverein, and the Lippeverband–which are associations established in Nordrhein-Westfalen under special laws. The charges are imposed in order to cover the annual expenditures–operation and maintenance, debt service, administration–incurred in performing activities to meet the mandates of the associations.
