Document EdGgbmvdx8zLNN94GrO0Knann

History of CWA | Laws, Regulations, Guidance & Dockets | US EPA Page 1 of 1 http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/cwahistory.html Last updated on Thursday, July 30th, 2009. Laws, Regulations, Guidance and Dockets You are here: EPA Home Laws. Regulations. Guidance & Dockets Laws that We Administer Summary of CWA History of CWA History of the Clean Water Act How do I...? The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. law to address water pollution. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. As amended in 1977, the law Find regulatory info : by date by topic by business sector became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). The 1977 amendments: Established the basic structure for regulating pollutants discharges into the waters of the United States. Gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. Maintained existing requirements to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. Made it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions. Funded the construction of sewage treatment plants under the construction grants program. Recognized the need for planning to address the critical problems posed by nonpoint source pollution. Comment Comply with a rule Get updates Search state-specific laws/rules Quick Links How EPA Writes Regulations Regulations and Proposed Rules Federal Register Environmental Documents Federal Register Database Regulations.gov EPA Dockets Subsequent amendments modified some of the earlier CWA Regulatory Agendas & Plans provisions. Revisions in 1981 streamlined the municipal Codified Regulations construction grants process, improving the capabilities of treatment plants built under the program. Changes in 1987 phased out the construction grants program, replacing it with the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, more commonly known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This new funding strategy addressed water quality needs by building on EPA-state partnerships. Over the years, many other laws have changed parts of the Clean Water Act. Title I of the Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of 1990, for example, put into place parts of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, signed by the U.S. and Canada, where the two nations agreed to reduce certain toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes. That law required EPA to establish Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) CFR Title 40: Protection of the Environment Laws Major Environmental Laws THOMAS U.S. House Committees U.S. Senate Committees Significant Guidance Documents water quality criteria for the Great Lakes addressing 29 toxic pollutants with maximum levels that are safe for humans, wildlife, and aquatic life. It also required EPA to help the States implement the criteria on a specific schedule. http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/cwahistory.html 10/5/2009