NPDES permits outline all of the following parameters EXCEPT __________

NPDES permits, which stand for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, are crucial for managing and regulating the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters. These permits contain specific requirements that facilities must meet to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The purpose of NPDES permits is to control the parameters related to pollution discharge, including monitoring and reporting requirements, the discharge location, and allowable flows. Monitoring and reporting requirements help in tracking the types and quantities of pollutants being discharged, thus ensuring that facilities maintain their pollution levels within the established limits. The discharge location is essential as it ensures that pollutants are not released into sensitive environments. Allowable flows pertain to the maximum volume of wastewater that a facility is allowed to discharge, which is vital for preventing overloading of receiving waters.

On the other hand, plant safety requirements are generally not included in NPDES permits. While safety is crucial for operational integrity and worker protection, it typically falls under occupational safety regulations rather than environmental discharge permits. Thus, the aspects pertaining to plant safety do not form part of the NPDES permit framework. This distinction clarifies why the correct answer focuses on plant safety requirements, as they do not directly relate to the parameters regulated by NPDES