The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The law was enacted in 1972 and has been amended several times since then. The CWA sets water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters and makes it illegal to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters without a permit. The law also provides funding for the construction of wastewater treatment plants and requires industries to use the best available technology to control pollution. The CWA is enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a piece of legislation in the United States that aims to prevent and address water pollution. It is a significant environmental law that grants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to safeguard water quality by monitoring standards and controlling discharge from specific sources. The EPA and states collaborate to regulate water quality standards. States are required to classify bodies of water based on their designated use, such as swimming, fishing, water supply, navigation, or industrial waste disposal. They must then develop a plan to ensure that the water meets the standards for that particular use. These plans must be approved by the EPA and include pollution limits to ensure that the water is of sufficient quality for its designated use and that the designated uses do not lead to further degradation of waterways. For instance, if a river is designated for fishing, the state must ensure that the water quality is suitable for fish to thrive and safe for human consumption. The state must also ensure that the river’s water quality does not deteriorate over time. The CWA also mandates the regulation of point sources, which are fixed locations that discharge pollutants into water. Discharging pollutants from a point source into U.S. waters is illegal without a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. NPDES permits are issued by the EPA or states with EPA approval. These permits establish limits on the amount of pollution that can be discharged and require mandatory reporting and monitoring procedures. For example, a factory that releases wastewater into a river must obtain an NPDES permit that restricts the quantity of pollutants it can discharge. The permit also necessitates monitoring and reporting of the discharges to ensure compliance with the limits. The CWA applies to the “navigable waters” of the United States, which includes wetlands and areas directly adjacent to navigable waters. However, it does not apply to isolated ponds or areas that are not directly connected to navigable waters. For instance, a small pond in the middle of a field that has no connection to any other waterway is not covered by the CWA. However, a wetland that is connected to a river falls under the jurisdiction of the CWA. The CWA is a crucial law that safeguards our water resources and ensures their safety for both people and wildlife.
The Clean Water Act is a federal law enacted in 1972 that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States and aims to maintain and restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of these waters.
The CWA protects all “waters of the United States,” including rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, and coastal areas.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is primarily responsible for enforcing the CWA at the federal level. However, states can also have their own programs approved by the EPA to enforce the Act.
The CWA regulates various activities that may result in the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, including industrial and municipal wastewater discharges, stormwater runoff, and dredging or filling of wetlands.
Certain activities regulated under the CWA require permits, such as National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for point source discharges and Section 404 permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
Violations of the CWA can result in civil penalties of up to $54,833 per day per violation, and criminal penalties can include fines and imprisonment.
Yes, citizens and environmental groups can bring lawsuits against individuals or entities that are violating the CWA. These lawsuits are often referred to as citizen suits.
Yes, states can establish their own water quality standards that are more stringent than the federal standards, as long as they are approved by the EPA.
Certain activities, such as agricultural stormwater runoff and certain discharges from farming operations, may be exempt or subject to specific regulations under the CWA.
If you suspect a violation of the CWA, you can report it to the EPA or your state’s environmental agency. They will investigate the matter and take appropriate enforcement actions if necessary.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 30th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/clean-water-act/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Clean Water Act. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 20 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/clean-water-act/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Clean Water Act. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/clean-water-act/ (accessed: May 20 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Clean Water Act. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 20 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/clean-water-act/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts