The final rule became effective on august 28, 2015. The 2016 clean water act assessment includes data collected from july 1, 2010 to june 30, 2015. A summary of the law summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The 1972 law gave epa the authority to set effluent standards on an industry basis technologybased and continued the. Be it enacted by the senate and the house of representatives of the philippines in congress assembled. The water act, 2016 8 the water act, 2016 an act of parliament to provide for the regulation, management and development of water resources, water and sewerage services. In all states except those on the gulf coast, it also protects employees who complain of a clean water act.
Consequences of the clean water act and the demand for. The clean water act protects employees who file or institute a complaint alleging a violation of the clean water act, or who testify or are about to testify in a proceeding under the clean water act. Introduction to the clean water act watershed academy. This version depicts the law as of november 27, 2002. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was originally passed in 1948. The clean water act was passed when 60% of waterways in the us were not fishable or swimmable. This paper quanti es changes in water pollution since before 1972, studies the causes of any changes, and analyzes the welfare consequences of any changes. The following documents are associated with the 2015 clean water rule. Plaintiffs are regional and national publicinterest environmental organizations with a combined. The purpose of this report is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of water quality data associated with arizonas surface waters to determine whether surface water quality standards are being attained and designated uses are being supported. New and revised epa methods including new andor revised methods published by voluntary consensus standard bodies.
The clean water act 5 the clean water act t he federal water pollution control act, better known as the clean water act, 1 establishes the legal framework for the protection of water resources in the united states. This chapter describes the purpose and key components of the act. Introduction to the clean water act1 the clean water act cwa is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the united states. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current shape. In this lesson, students consider how the clean water act of 1972 became a law. Clean water laws, regulations, and executive orders related to. Protecting water at its source is the first step in the multibarrier approach to source water protection. The 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 clean water act cwa establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the united. The role of assumptions in the adoption of a pollution control landmark article pdf available december 2009. Documents associated with the 2015 clean water rule. Introduction to the clean water act the clean water act cwa is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the united states. Watershed academy web introduction to the clean water act.
Total maximum daily load program california state water. Clean water act cwa, also known as federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, u. Epa and the department of armys statement on the relevance of recent court rulings. Clean air act united states house of representatives. Double click on the pdf and a separate page will open. You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page.
And sometimes they are meant to garner political support for a law by giving it a catchy name as with the usa patriot act or the take pride in america act or by invoking public outrage or sympathy as with any number of laws named for victims of crimes. Chapter 1 general provisions article 1 declaration of principles and policies section 1. These data represent geographic terms used within the clean water act cwa. It was last amended by the public law listed in the as amended through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects. This act shall be known as the philippine clean water act of 2004. The clean water act recognizes that some surface waters should be regulated by the federal government, while some should be protected under state law. The 1972 passage of the clean water act cwa marked an important milestone in the nations environmental history. See coming into force provision and notes, where applicable.
A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Reflects all laws adopted prior to april 1, 2011, that have modified the federal water pollution control act or that have been codified in chapter 26 of title 33. Clean water act zero discharge and the role of the public section 306a for purposes of this section. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical. 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. An act to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water for the establishment, with a view to carrying out the purposes aforesaid, of boards for the prevention and control of water pollution, for conferring on and assigning to such boards powers and functions. Pdf icon report clean water act regulation of oil and gas wastewater clean water action jan. The cwa establishes the basic structure for regulating the addition of pollutants discharges into waters of the united states, a three mile territorial sea, a 12 mile contiguous zone, and the ocean.
The proposed new clean water rule seeks to clarify which waters are subject to which type of protection. The act does not deal directly with ground water or with water quantity issues. Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1974. By 1972, congress had voted on an amended version of the law that included the expansion of regulations to prevent pollution of the nations waterways. The cwa made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit authorized under the cwa was obtained. The act does not deal directly with ground water nor with water quantity issues.
Pdf science, politics, law and the arc of the clean. Introduction to the clean water act donna downing whether youre new to this area of law or youre simply looking for a refresher before digging into the details, this optional introductory lecture will lay out the general framework of the clean water act. The official text of the cwa is available in the united states code on fdsys, from the us government printing office. Clean water act sought \to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. History books, newspapers, and other sources use the popular name to refer to these laws. Short title and this act may be cited as the water act, 2016.
Some states have chosen to develop ground water quality standards mentioned in slide 6 or water quality standards that. The clean water rule published on june 29, 2015 in the. An act to provide for water pollution control activities in the public health serv ice of the federal security agency and in the federal works agency, and for other purposes. She is the author of the clean water act and the constitution eli 2004. A snapshot of the clean water act provisions, as expressed in the amended law, is available in its entirety or by title from the listings below in portable document file pdf format. Federal register clean water act methods update rule. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was.
The changes adopted in this final rule fall into the following categories. Motivated by public outrage at oil spills covering hundreds of square miles, massive fish kills due to pollution, and rivers so laden with pollutants that they. The clean water act addressed a classic externality. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. Overview of clean water act section 404 section 404 of. The clean water act cwa is the primary federal law in the united states governing water pollution.
Clean water act became the acts common name with amendments in 1977. The statute employs a variety of regulatory and nonregulatory tools to sharply reduce direct pollutant discharges into. The 1972 clean water act has driven significant improvements in u. Clean water act cwa or act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into u. Defense litigation and settlement strategies navigating notice, standing and jurisdiction. The clean water act cwa establishes the basic structure for regulating. The clean water rule published on june 29, 2015 in the federal register 80 fr 37054. The clean water act, 2006 bill 43 is a major part of the ontario governments commitment to ensuring that every ontarian has access to safe drinking water. This rule modifies the testing procedures approved for analysis and sampling under the clean water act. Science, politics, law and the arc of the clean water act. The cwa was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nations waters. The epa watershed academys courses related to the clean water act. This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 360, 84th congress.
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