What is the Clean Water Act?

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law in the United States that was passed in 1972. It is the primary law used to regulate water pollution in the United States and protects the nation’s rivers, lakes, streams and other waterbodies from pollution. The CWA is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced by both federal and state governments. The CWA requires the EPA to set standards for limiting the amount of pollutants that can be discharged into bodies of water and to monitor those standards and polluters. It also facilitates the protection and enhancement of wetlands through grants and technical assistance provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. States are also allowed to create their own water pollution regulations as long as they meet the minimum requirements of the CWA. In Florida, the CWA is enforced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which sets water quality standards and monitors and regulates water uses, pollution sources and land uses in the state. The agency also works with local governments, industries, and other stakeholders to protect and improve water quality in the state. The CWA has helped to reduce the amount of pollutants in the water, improve water quality, and support the health and recreation of the state’s citizens.

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