What is the Clean Water Act?

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1972 with the goal of protecting the quality of U.S. waters. In Virginia, the CWA is administered by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The CWA regulates pollutants that are discharged into the nation’s rivers, lakes, streams, and other water bodies. It accomplishes this goal by setting water quality standards and issuing permits to control the discharge of pollutants. The CWA establishes a number of restrictions on activities that could potentially harm water quality, including the construction of dams, dredging activities, and discharges from wastewater treatment systems. It also requires those who discharge pollutants into the water to obtain a permit from the DEQ in order to do so. The permit outlines the specific actions the discharger must take in order to meet the CWA’s water quality standards. Through the CWA, the DEQ is able to identify sources of water pollution and take the necessary steps to limit or eliminate those pollutants. The CWA also provides the state with the authority to address water pollution problems, such as the accumulation of sediment or nutrients. The DEQ also works with local governments, industries, and other stakeholders to develop strategies to protect and restore water bodies in Virginia.

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What is the Clean Water Act?

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