Clean Water Act History
Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution
led to enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments
of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law became commonly known as the Clean
Water Act. The Clean Water Act established the basic structure for regulating discharges
of pollutants into the waters of the United States. It gave EPA the
authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater
standards for industry. The Clean Water Act also continued requirements
to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.
The Clean Water Act - CWA made it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from
a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under
its provisions. It also funded the construction of sewage treatment
plants under the construction grants program and recognized the need
for planning to address the critical problems posed by nonpoint source
pollution.
Subsequent enactments modified some of the earlier Clean Water Act provisions.
Revisions in 1981 streamlined the municipal construction grants process,
improving the capabilities of treatment plants built under the program.
Changes in 1987 phased out the construction grants program, replacing
it with the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, more commonly
known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This new funding strategy
addressed water quality needs by building on EPA-State partnerships.
Over the years, many other laws have changed parts of the Clean Water
Act. Title I of the Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of 1990, for example,
put into place parts of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978,
signed by the U.S. and Canada, where the two nations agreed to reduce
certain toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes. That law required EPA to
establish water quality criteria for the Great Lakes addressing 29 toxic
pollutants with maximum levels that are safe for humans, wildlife, and
aquatic life. It also required EPA to help the States implement the
criteria on a specific schedule.
The electronic version of the Clean Water Act (available below) is a
thirtieth anniversary snapshot of the law, as amended through the enactment
of the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-303, November
27, 2002). Provided by the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, it
is the amended law as of that particular point in time. This electronic
version annotates the sections of the Act with the corresponding sections
of the U.S. Code and footnote commentary on the effect of other laws
on the current form of the Clean Water Act.
Related Information:
EPA’s Web Site Page On The Clean Water Act
Best Management Practices “BMP’s”– Quick
Facts To Help You Comply
BMP’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System PDF Files
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