The Clean Water Act: Pros And Cons

The Clean Water Act was the Act created by the U.S congress. The Clean Water Act hasn’t always had this name. In 1972, it was referred to as the “Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments.” This was one of the most important acts ever passed by congress dealing with environmental statutes. Still to this day it continues to be debated between all governments. Starting in 1948, congress announced it to be the ‘national interest’ to make sure throughout the United States there is a high level of water quality. In 1956, 1961, 1965, 1966, and 1970, congress passed additional water pollution control laws to help with ensuring high levels of water quality. Each of these act were more strict than the one before, but all of them contained the fact that water quality was in the hands of the state. It was their responsibility. The reason for the government involvement is that they had to assist the states financially, to help with the research, and to keep the water quality what it needs to be in the interstate waters. …show more content…
In 1972, there was a goal set to have zero discharge of pollutants in the united states’ waters by 1985. The Clean Water Act gave permission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to put into effect pollution control programs. This act made it unlawful that without a permit you could not discharge any pollutant into navigable waters from a point source. It was EPA who was required to establish water quality for the Great Lakes addressing 29 toxic pollutants with maximum levels that are safe for humans, wildlife, and aquatic