In 1948, congress acted for the first time to comprehensively address water quality with passage of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, but. The clean water act cwa is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the united states. It served as a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, which had proven. Federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 govinfo. Section of the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 pdf 12 pp, 22 k, about pdf is published in the united states code at 33 u. A retrospective assessment of the costs of the clean water. 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. Challenges and opportunities in the 21st century over the past 37 years, the clean water act cwa has played a vital role in improving the health of our nations waters. It served as a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of.
On its face, the cwa is an ambitious effort to rid the nations surface waters of pollution. This pdf file was adapted from an online training module of the. Clean water act of 1972 grew from the1969 burning of the cuyahoga river in cleveland duration. The 1972 law gave epa the authority to set effluent standards on an industry basis technologybased and continued the. In this lesson, students consider how the clean water act of 1972 became a law. Modernization of the clean water act is long overdue. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. Science, politics, law, and the arc of the clean water act. The clean water act cwa of 1972 is federal legislation governing water pollution. Established the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the united states. Watershed academy web introduction to the clean water act. As amended in 1977, this law became commonly known as the clean water act. Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark clean water act in 1972, clean water action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solutionoriented thinking and.
The clean water act cwa has regulated discharges of contaminants since 1972. At least some would also agree that over the forty years of its existence, the cwa has. 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. Motivated by public outrage at oil spills covering hundreds of square miles, massive fish kills caused by pollution, and rivers so laden with pollutants that they actually caught fire, congress adopted the measure over the veto of. The act established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the united states. Code chapter 26 water pollution prevention and control. The clean water act of 1972 clean water act drinking water. 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. Oct 04, 20 icy act of 1969 nepa,1 the clean air act of 1970,2 and the 1972 clean water act cwa3many environmental law scholars would likely agree that the cwa was the best designed and most artfully drafted. The clean water act cwa is the primary federal law in the united states governing water pollution.
The first version of the cwa was passed in 1948 under president truman. Introduction to the clean water act university of idaho. This act was expanded, restructured and reorganized in 1972 with the. Amendments of 1972, now known as the clean water act. Section of the federal water pollution control act. This act shall be known as the philippine clean water act of 2004. The basis of the cwa was enacted in 1948, and was called the federal water pollution control act. In 1972, congress enacted the federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act cwa, to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was originally passed in 1948. 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.
You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. Clean water act of 1972 definition of clean water act of. The clean water act of 1972 maintains the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the waterways, and the safe drinking water act of 1974 controls drinkingwater contamination through multiple barriers. The first fwpca was enacted in 1948, but took on its modern form when completely rewritten in 1972 in an act entitled the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972. Evolution of the meaning of waters of the united states in. Clean water action is a national 501c4 environmental organization with nearly one million members. The 1972 passage of the clean water act marked an important milestone in the.
The question presented here is whether the act requires a permit when pollutants originate from a point source but. Summary of the clean water act american water college. It provides for the maintenance of the chemical, physical and biological integrity of nations waters. The federal water pollution control act as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this act oct. Subchapter iresearch and related programs 1251 1275 subchapter iigrants for construction of treatment works 1281 1 subchapter iiistandards and enforcement sections 11 30 subchapter ivpermits and licenses 41 46. Clean water act cwa, also known as federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, u. Clean water act cwa or act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into u. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current dimensions. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. The clean water act of 1972 was the nations first comprehensive water pollution control law.
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. Congress responded to the water pollution problem described by professor hines by adopting the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, now known as the clean water act. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current. An act to amend the federal water pollution control act. The federal water pollution control act was passed to address the concerns surrounding water pollution and contaminants. According to the text of the clean water act, its purpose is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters.
Federal water pollution control act chapter 758 of the 80th congress 33 u. Report clean water act regulation of oil and gas wastewater clean water action jan 2020. The clean water act was passed when 60% of waterways in the us were not fishable or swimmable. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the clean water act cwa. Federal water pollution control act, 301a, 50212a, as amended by the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 clean water act 2, 86 stat. The clean water act cwa of 1972 the law or statute, as amended, has been the primary federal law in the u. The clean water act of 1972 maintains the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the waterways, and the safe drinking water act of 1974 controls drinking water contamination through multiple barriers. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the marine protection, research, and sanctuaries act of 1972 mprsa, p. Nov 27, 2002 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. Federal water pollution control act unt digital library.
The federal water pollution control act is amended to read as follows. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current shape. However, evaluations of the cwas effectiveness at improving regional water quality are lacking, primarily because integration of monitoring data from multiple dischargers to assess cumulative effects is not required. A summary of the law introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Major changes have subsequently been introduced via amendatory legislation including the clean water act of 1977 and the water quality act of 1987. Clean water act project eduardo samayoa peter bambalis hunter mason victoria hopkins benjamin beroth. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972.
How effective has the clean water act been at reducing. Congress declared that the primary objective of the clean water act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nations waters. Clean water act of 1972 article about clean water act of. Passed in 1972, the clean water act was a response to the nearly unchecked dumping of pollution into our waterways. Dec 02, 20 clean water act project eduardo samayoa peter bambalis hunter mason victoria hopkins benjamin beroth. This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 758 of the 80th congress. The act established water quality standards for surface waters, programs regulating the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewaster, regulation of nonpoint source water pollution pollution with no single, identifiable source. The state shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish and marine waters. Evolution of the meaning of waters of the united states. Subsequently amended in 1977 and reauthorized in 1987, the. The clean water act of 1972 free download as powerpoint presentation. Today, because of the clean water act, roughly 40%.
The clean water act cwa as we know it has a longer history than you might think. The clean water act of 1972 congress had tackled water pollution as early as 1899, but most legislation lacked teeth. As amended in 1977, the law became commonly known as the clean water act cwa. Sep 20, 2012 the federal water pollution control act, on june 30, 1948 clean water act became the common name with the 1972 amendments summary. Since passage in 1972, the clean water act has made great strides in protecting and restoring americas waters. It was last amended by the public law listed in the as amended. The cwa was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nations waters. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the united state8 of america in congress assembled, that this act may be cited as the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972. The national wildlife federation advocates for preventing wetland and stream destruction and pollution through strong enforcement of the clean water act. At least some would also agree that over the forty years of its existence, the cwa has been the most e. Clean water act became the act s common name with amendments in 1977. The clean water act cwa establishes the basic structure for. History of the clean water act the federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first major u. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in.
The nondiscrimination provisions of section also apply to recipients of financial assistance under the environmental financing act, which is published in the united states code at. Commonly referred to as the clean water act established national goals various titles established research program created massive. Clean water act became the acts common name with amendments in 1977. At the time, twothirds of the countrys lakes, rivers and coastal waters. The 1972 clean water act has had major beneficial impacts on the quality of our nations waters, but it does not provide the tools to solve our nations twentyfirstcentury water challenges. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nation3s surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Federal clean water act federal water pollution control act first enacted in 1948 major overhaul with federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 33 u. Section 519, formerly section 518, of act june 30, 1948, ch. History of the clean water act american water college.
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