are incorporated into the permits, which may include additional treatment requirements for individual plants developed on a case-by-case basis. NPDES permits must be renewed every five years. EPA has authorized 47 state agencies to issue and enforce NPDES permits. EPA regional offices issue permits for the rest of the country. Wastewater discharges to groundwater are regulated by the Underground Injection Control Program (UIC) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. UIC permits are issued by 34 state agencies and EPA regional offices. Financial assistance for improvements to sewage treatment facilities is available to state and local governments through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a low interest loan program. Other stakeholders There are a number of professional associations, trade associations and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are actively engaged in water supply and sanitation. Professional associations include the American Society of Civil Engineers focused on advocacy for state revolving fund and water resource development legislation, American Water Works Association (AWWA) oriented mainly towards drinking water professionals and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) geared mainly at wastewater professionals. The geographical scope of both is greater than the U.S.: AWWA has members in 100 countries, with a focus on the U.S. and Canada, and WEF has member associations in 30 countries. There are a number of trade associations in the sector, including: The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), founded in 1895, which represents the interests of small and large private water and wastewater utilities; The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), founded in 1970, which represents the interests of wastewater utilities; The National Rural Water Association (NRWA), founded in 1976, which represents small water and wastewater utilities; The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), founded in 1981, which represents the interests of large publicly owned drinking water utilities. The Water Reuse Association, founded in 2000, which promotes water reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination. The Water Quality Association, founded in 1974, which represents manufacturers and dealers of equipment for water treatment. In addition to lobbying, some of these trade associations also provide public education, as well as training and technical assistance to their members. An example of an NGO active in water supply and sanitation is Food & Water Watch, a consumer rights group created in 2005 which focuses on corporate and government accountability relating to food, water, and fishing. Another example is the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), which was created