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. Section 301a of the cwa prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into navigable waters unless the discharge complies with, among other provisions, a national pollutant. Clean water act and regulations epa department of energy. The clean water rule published on june 29, 2015 in the federal register 80 fr 37054. The clean water act cwa is the primary federal law in the united states governing water. Therule refers to types of waters that are jurisdictional under the cwa. The clean water act cwa establishes the basic structure for regulating. The clean water act cwa, which was enacted in 1972, built the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the united states to maintain water quality standards wqs for surface waters in the u.
You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. Gave epa the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. The clean water act was passed when 60% of waterways in the us were not fishable or swimmable. Epa and the army corps rule to define waters of the united. Federal register clean water act methods update rule for. This pdf file was adapted from an online training module of the epas watershed academy. The clean water act also continued requirements to set water quality standards for. States often use the term outstanding resource waters. Antidegradation tier 3 tier 3 states that water quality must be maintained and protected without exception for those waters specially designated by a state, territory, or tribe. Clean water act does not require attaining water quality criteria at the point of discharge states have discretion to allow dilution states should specify any conditions on dilution allowances as part of their water quality standards 122. Epa established to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standardsetting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection 1972. Epa and the department of armys statement on the relevance of recent court rulings. These data represent geographic terms used within the clean water act cwa. 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.
Epa is promulgating this rule pursuant to the authority of sections 301a, 304h, and 501a of the clean water act cwa 33 u. Environmental protection agency epa and the united states army corps of engineers usace to clarify water resource management in the united states under a provision of the clean water act of 1972. This version depicts the law as of november 27, 2002. Overview of epa, the clean water act, and the national. The rule ensures that waters protected under the clean water act are more precisely defined, more predictably determined, and easier for businesses and industry to understand. Prior to the act, federal and state governments regulated water pollution in large part by setting water quality standards. The clean water rule is a 2015 regulation published by the u.
The following documents are associated with the 2015 clean water rule. A summary of the law congressional research service summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The regulation defined the scope of federal water protection in a more consistent. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current dimensions. Consequences of the clean water act and the demand for water.
Sep 15, 2016 see epas about pdf page to learn more. Act, but epa s proposed sso control rule will clarify the prohibition. The goal of the clean water act cwa or act is to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into waterways. 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. Epa and army finalize rule to repeal 2015 waters of the u. The environmental protection agency epa is requesting comment on the agencys previous statements regarding the clean water act cwa and whether pollutant discharges from point sources that reach jurisdictional surface waters via groundwater or other subsurface flow. It served as a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of. Environmental protection agency clean water act cre. This chapter addresses federal monitoring, assessment, and listing requirements found in sections 106, 205, 303, 305, and 314 of the clean water act. This new funding strategy addressed water quality needs by building on epa state partnerships. The clean water act of 1977 was meant to adjust and enhance some of the requirements of the 1972 act. Clean water act analytical methods epa publishes laboratory analytical methods, or test procedures that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples that are required by the clean water act cwa. Clean water act became the acts common name with amendments in 1977. It was formerly referred to as the federal water pollution control act of 1972 or federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 public law 92500, 33 u.
Dec 14, 2018 these constant shifts in the clean water act s jurisdiction create substantial confusion about whether a discharge, dredging, or fill activity requires a permit. Clean water act section 404q factsheet pdf 2 pp, 812 k contact us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. A water quality protection tool for states and tribes. Enforcing the clean water act in the twentyfirst century cpr. For a brief introduction to the clean water act, please visit the watershed academys webbased training module called, introduction to the clean water act. The mandate to conduct water quality assessments and determine which surface waters are impaired is a result of this act. The limits on the clean water acts jurisdiction should be revised to reflect the. Pruitt takes clean water act decisions away from regional epa. This act also created a major public work financing program for the municipal sewage treatment. Dec 05, 20 the 1972 clean water act aimed to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters.
Clean water act cwa the clean water act is an act passed by the u. Environmental protection agency epa acknowledged dif. Epa and the corps clean water rule clarifies protection under the clean water act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nations water resources. Water pollution control revolving fund, more commonly known as the clean water state revolving fund. Introduction to the clean water act us epa web server. Before the clean water act cwa, however, the federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the nations first. Technical support document for the clean water rule. Trump administrations clean water act proposal will affect. Modernization of the clean water act is long overdue neiwpcc.
Sep 12, 2019 the environmental protection agency announced thursday that it has finalized a repeal of the obamaera clean water rule that spells out protections for large and small bodies of water. Epa, nicely summarized what is known about water pollution today. Administered by the environmental protection agency. Clean water upstream means cleaner water flowing into rivers, lakes, bays, and coastal waters. Under section 309, epa can issue administrative orders and can seek civil, criminal penalties against the violators of the act. 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. Apr 04, 2018 such veto power by epa officials has been used times since it was first allowed under the clean water act in 1970, according to the epa. Federal register clean water act coverage of discharges. The 1972 passage of the clean water act marked an important milestone in the. Over the years, many other laws have changed parts of the clean water act. Established the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the united states.
Clean water act became the act s common name with amendments in 1977. Under the 1972 act epa began to issue technologybased standards for municipal and. Under the act, states must establish water quality standards. Resource conservation and recovery act rcra, clean water act cwa, safe drinking water act sdwa, clean air act caa, and other federal and state environmental laws, as required by cercla 121. Definition of waters of the united states pdf 423 pp, 2 mb final clean water rule economic analysis pdf 87. Electronic clean water act snapshot 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. Clean water rule recreation factsheet pdf 2 pp, 502 k clean water rule utilities factsheet pdf 2 pp, 227 k contact us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Army corps of engineers corps jointly announced a final rule defining the scope of waters protected under the clean water act cwa. The 1972 passage of the clean water act cwa marked an important milestone in the nations.
When congress was debating the 1972 act, they realized that corrections would need to be made as once the law went into effect when it became clear what worked and what did not. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the clean water act cwa. The final rule became effective on august 28, 2015. The cwa was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nations waters. The environmental protection agency and department of the army have finalized a rule to repeal the 2015 clean water rule and recodify the regulatory text defining waters of the united states that existed prior to 2015. Californias regulated community, therefore, must monitor both the trump rule and californias response. Sep 20, 2012 clean water act cwa or act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into u. Moreover, section 305 b of the act requires epa to compile a biennial report to congress on the nations water quality. 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. Epa regulations refer to such waters as outstanding national resource watersonrw.
It gave epa the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting. Today, because of the clean water act, roughly 40%. They have always been illegal under the clean water. Documents associated with the 2015 clean water rule. Modernizing public hearings for water quality standard decisions consistent with 40 cfr 25. This compilation is continuously updated as epa approves new or revised wqs. Adeq implements the clean water act in arizona, with oversight from epa. Epa guidance, clean water act section 401 water quality certification. An act to provide for water pollution control activities in the public health. The clean water rule published on june 29, 2015 in the.