How does environmental law protect water quality?

Environmental law is a set of laws, regulations, and policies designed to protect the environment and prevent pollution. In California, the Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary law that protects water quality. This law makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutants into “navigable waters” without a permit. The CWA also requires states to develop water quality standards to protect drinking water, which are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure they meet the state’s goals for water quality. The State of California also has specific laws to protect different types of water resources. For example, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act establishes a regulatory framework for California’s surface and groundwater resources, including specific water quality objectives for waterbodies. The Safe Drinking Water Act regulates the quality of drinking water, sets the maximum levels for certain contaminants, and requires public water systems to monitor their water sources and take necessary steps to protect them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has regulations in place to protect water quality. These regulations establish maximum levels for pollutants in water, as well as the process for issuing permits for facilities that discharge wastewater to natural waterbodies. By ensuring that pollutants are not discharged into water, and by setting and enforcing standards for water quality, environmental law helps to protect the quality of our water resources. This is important for the health of humans and other species that depend on clean water for drinking and recreation.

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How does environmental law protect water quality?

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