Section 11-55-02 - General policy of water pollution control(a) It is the public policy of this State:(1) To conserve State waters;(2) To protect, maintain, and improve the quality of State waters: (A) For drinking water supply, and food processing;(B) For the growth, support, and propagation of shellfish, fish, and other desirable species of marine and aquatic life;(C) For oceanographic research;(D) For the conservation of coral reefs and wilderness areas; and(E) For domestic, agricultural, industrial, and other legitimate uses;(3) To provide that no waste be discharged into any State waters without first being given the degree of treatment necessary to protect the legitimate beneficial uses of the waters;(4) To provide for the prevention, abatement, and control of new and existing water pollution; and(5) To cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the objectives listed in paragraphs (1) through (4).(b) Any industrial, public, or private project or development which could be considered a new source of pollution or an increased source of pollution shall, in its initial project design and subsequent construction, provide the highest and best degree of waste treatment practicable under existing technology.(c) Permits issued under this chapter, and the related applications, processing, issuance, and postissuance procedures and requirements, shall be at least as stringent as those required by 40 CFR § 123.25(a). [Eff 11/27/81; am and comp 10/29/92; Eff 09/23/96; am and comp 09/22/97; comp 01/06/01; am and comp 11/07/02; comp 08/01/05; comp 10/22/07; comp 6/15/09; comp 10/21/12; comp 12/6/13; am and comp 11/15/2014 ] (Auth: HRS §§ 342D-4, 342D-5; 33 U.S.C. §§1251, 1342, 1370 ) (Imp: HRS §§ 342D-2, 342D-4, 342D-5, 342D-50; 33 U.S.C. §§1251, 1288, 1311, 1312, 1316, 1317, 1342, 1370, 1251 - 1387; 40 CFR Parts 122; 123; 124, Subparts A and D; 125; §123.25(a))