What is the Clean Water Act?

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law that aims to protect and improve the quality of streams, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies in the United States. The law was enacted in 1972 by the U.S. Congress and is enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The purpose of the CWA is to reduce water pollution and protect the environment. The CWA is composed of various regulations and policies. One of the main goals of the CWA is to conserve and protect the country’s surface water by setting standards for water pollution. The CWA requires that facilities which discharge pollutants must obtain a permit from the EPA. These permits contain specific limits and conditions regarding the discharge of pollutants. In addition, the CWA establishes a process for monitoring and regulating industrial and municipal discharges. It also requires that states identify waterways that are impaired and require restoration. In Washington, the Department of Ecology is the state agency responsible for protecting the state’s surface water by enforcing the Clean Water Act. This includes issuing permits to businesses and individuals that discharge pollutants into waterways and providing resources to help citizens understand the law. The agency also works with other agencies, tribes, and local governments to ensure the CWA is followed.

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What is the Clean Water Act?

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