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Summary of the Clean Water Act
Summary of the Clean Water ActThe Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972. -
The Clean Water Act of 1972
clean water actThe Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972. -
Water - The Challenge of the Environment: A Primer on EPA's Statutory Authority
Water - The Challenge of the Environment: A Primer on EPA's Statutory AuthorityThree out of every four people in the United States get their drinking water from public supply systems. In 1969, a Federal study found half of these systems substandard. Health specialists are increasingly concerned about neutralizing toxic substances and viruses when natural water purification fails. We are finally realizing that there are limits to natural purification--that our nation's waters cannot indefinitely absorb an endless avalanche of waste. -
EPA Releases Guidelines for New Water Quality Standards
EPA Releases Guidelines for New Water Quality StandardsEPA Releases Guidelines for New Water Quality StandardsThe Environmental Protection Agency has issued guidelines to assist EPA Regional Offices and States in developing or revising State water quality standards as required by the new water law.The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, enacted last October 18, called for the establishment of intra-state water quality standards as well as review and revision of existing interstate standards. -
Indiana and Federal EPA Announce Issuance of Nation's First Wastewater Permits
Indiana and Federal EPA Announce Issuance of Nation's First Wastewater PermitsIn the first action of its kind in the nation, the Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board today issued permits approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to five Indiana companies for authority to discharge treated wastewater into navigable waters.The announcement was made by Oral Hert, Technical Secretary for the Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board, at a press conference in Indianapolis. Federal approval of the permit issuance was given by EPA Midwest Regional Administrator Franci -
EPA Issues First Municipal Wastewater Discharge Permit in the Nation
EPA Issues First Municipal Wastewater Discharge Permit in the NationThe Environmental Protection Agency has issued the first municipal wastewater discharge permit in the nation to an Illinois municipality.
Francis T. Mayo, EPA Region V Administrator in Chicago, signed the permit allowing the Village of Riverton to discharge treated wastewater into the Sangamon River.
Cities, industries, businesses and large farms are required by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 to have permits to control the discharge of wastewater into navigable waters -
EPA Issues Public Participation Regulations
EPA Issues Public Participation RegulationsFinal regulations, designed as guidelines for public participation in Federal and State water pollution control programs, were issued today by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The regulations implement the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 which calls upon agencies to encourage and assist public participation in the development of standards, regulations, effluent limitations, plans, and programs being established under the Act. -
The Meaning of the 1977 Clean Water Act
The Meaning of the 1977 Clean Water ActWhen Congress debated the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, mid-course corrections were promised.The Clean Water Act of 1977 has fulfilled that promise--and it also maintains the original promise of the clean water for the American people.More than seventy changes were made in the existing law. Most enhance the ability of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to deal with complex water pollution problems. We made some requirements more flexible, but -
Statement by Douglas M. Costle on Enactment of the Clean Water Act of 1977
Statement by Douglas M. Costle on Enactment of the Clean Water Act of 1977President Carter's signing of the Clean Water Act of 1977 completes the mid-course corrections to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act passed by Congress some five years ago. The changes reaffirm our commitment to the protection of the health of all Americans.The priority attention given to the control of toxic pollutant discharges is significant. The day is past when our rivers and streams are the dumping place of unwanted chemicals, and the new Act leaves little room for dischargers to avo -
EPA Announces Guidance on State Revolving Funds for Sewage Treatment
EPA Announces Guidance on State Revolving Funds for Sewage TreatmentThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued initial guidance to states on setting up State Revolving Funds for sewage-treatment-plant construction and other water-pollution-control activities. The revolving-fund program was created by the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act as part of the transition from the federal construction-grants program to a state-operated loan program. Under the new program, states and localities will be primarily responsible for financing, constructing and -
EPA Announces Guidance on State Revolving Funds for Sewage Treatment
EPA Announces Guidance on State Revolving Funds for Sewage Treatmenthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued initial guidance to states on setting up State Revolving Funds for sewage-treatment-plant construction and other water-pollution-control activities. The revolving-fund program was created by the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act as part of the transition from the federal construction-grants program to a state-operated loan program. Under the new program, states and localities will be primarily responsible for financing, constructing and m -
President Clinton Announces the Clean Water Action Plan
President Clinton Announces the Clean Water Action PlanToday, President Clinton announces a Clean Water Action Plan to restore and protect America's waters. Twenty-five years after enactment of the Clean Water Act, the President is launching a major new initiative to fulfill its promise--clean, healthy water for all Americans. To carry out the initiative, the President's budget proposes $568 million in new resources in Fiscal Year 1999--a 35 percent increase--and a total increase of $2.3 billion over five years. The President also is challenging Con -
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleEPA finalized the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR) on January 14th, 2002. The purposes of the LT1ESWTR are to improve control of microbial pathogens, specifically the protozoan Cryptosporidium, in drinking water, and address risk trade-offs with disinfection byproducts.The rule will require certain public water systems to meet strengthened filtration requirements. -
Deepwater Horizon – BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Deepwater HorizonOn April 20, 2010, the oil drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, operating in the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded and sank resulting in the death of 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon and the largest spill of oil in the history of marine oil drilling operations. 4 million barrels of oil flowed from the damaged Macondo well over an 87-day period, before it was finally capped on July 15, 2010. On December 15, 2010, the United States filed a complaint in District Court against BP Expl -
EPA Finalizes Rule to Modernize Clean Water Act Reporting
EPA Finalizes Rule to Modernize Clean Water Act ReportingWASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule to modernize Clean Water Act reporting for municipalities, industries, and other facilities. The final rule will require regulated entities and state and federal regulators to use existing, available information technology to electronically report data required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program instead of filing written paper reports.
