The Clean Water Act is the pillar for surface water quality protection in the United States. Due to concerns about controlling water pollution, The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act Amendments, was enacted in 1972 , and amended in1977. The act originally dealt with regulating and controlling discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. The Act gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to implement pollution control programs such as establishing waste water standards for industry, water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters, managing polluted runoff, and helping to finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities. The act made it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained utilizing strict guidelines. It also founded the construction of sewage treatment plants under the construction grants program.
Originally the act only focused on regulating discharges of pollutants from particular sources such as municipal sewage plants and industrial facilities. It did not focus on runoff from streets, construction sites, farms, and other “wet-weather” sources. Then in 1978 the United States and Canada signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Our two nations agreed to reduce pollutants being poured into the Great Lakes. The law required the EPA to establish water quality parameters that would be aimed maintaining safe water for humans, wildlife, and aquatic life. Beginning in the late 1980s, efforts to address polluted runoff have increased significantly, and have been a main focal point for regulation.
Revisions in 1981 made the construction grants process easier, and the capabilities of treatment plants built under the program improved dramatically. In 1987, the construction grants program was phased out and it was replaced with the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, which became known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The concept of this new was the build EPA-state partnerships the address water quality needs.
For 35 years the Clean Water Act has protected our water resources and has helped to safeguard the health f our two nations. This landmark legislation should be protected – indeed, it should be expanded – to guarantee the same protections to generations of Canadians and Americans in the decades to come.