Clean Water Act

Problem(s) addressed by the statute: The Clean Water Act (CWA) was created to protect the health and wellbeing of public and environment form harmful pollutions that were being discharged into the water supply. Like others federal law CAA is overseas by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by creating/following National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), along with other regulations and standards. Structure of statute: The Clean Water Act (CWA) and the basis of it all stated in 1948 when it was known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but over the years this law significantly changed and finally modified and organized into the CWA in 1972. Like most other environmental law this one is also overseen by the EPA. This law was created at the time of industrialization when the booming industries stared to discharge pollutant directly into the water supply such as streams, rivers, lakes, etc. The industries gave rise to the toxic pollutants that caused significant damage to the environment and the water supply. To tackle these things EPA set forth a lot of rules and regulations as well as industry standards for all surface contaminants. This law made sure that no pollutant were discharged what’s…

Loopholes in the Clean Water Act The objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's water. The intent is admirable but the execution is ineffective because its outdated, large companies abuse it, and lobbyist sabotage any progress to update the regulations. Many events that led up to the creation of the Clean Water Act, one example is the 1960s was the peak of the environmental problems throughout the country…

Alex Silva Clean Water Act Positional Essay Introduction The ongoing debate within the Clean Water Act (CWA) can be narrowed down to the Clean Water Rule (CWR), as it makes amendments to the Act and implements a different way of thinking about our water supply. The Clean Water Act was produced as a means for the EPA to implement pollution control programs alongside setting water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. This definition of what is to be considered…

In his article “Clean Water Act at 45: Despite Success, It’s Under Attack” Jon Devine elucidates the backstory and impediment of a possible future for the Clean Water Act. Devine explains the progress against water pollution that this act has made since it’s implementation in the 1960’s, an act that overruled the industry during that time. This law was the leading pollution prevention program in America in regards to the industry-specific standards. In light of it’s 45th anniversary, Devine…

Water pollution is a widespread issue that is affecting animals and humans in numerous ways. Poorly treated water is the cause of why innocent animals and humans are becoming ill. Trash, debris, toxic chemicals, and oil are some of the main contaminants that are ending up in the water that can easily be prevented. Thus, they are disrupting ecosystems and making wildlife unsafe for humans to eat. The main things that need to be brought to attention is the legislation that already exists, who…

The Clean Water Act was passed by the Congress in 1972. This Act protects all the “waters of the United States” and it still remains one of the most important tools that is used to try and protect our waters. This a good example of one public policy in place now that aims to improve some aspect of environmental sustainability because it regulates pollutant leaks into the water. With lots of streams at risk of pollution, our drinking water also is at risk with fish and wildlife species being at…

In the early 1940's as stated in the New York Times, the Hudson River became contaminated with Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), that flowed from two General Electric factories that were later banned in 1977, as a health threat to people and wildlife. In high doses, they have been shown to cause cancer in animals and are listed by federal agencies as a probable human carcinogen. As New York City grew along the Hudson river, the sewage discharged increased. In 1965, NYS voters passed a Pure…

The Clean Water Act was created by the government in 1972 to protect and place supervisions on the waters of the United States, due to the large amounts of pollution dumped into lakes, rivers, streams, and other coastal waters. Before the Clean Water Act, there were no restrictions placed on wastes being dumped into waterways, as well as pollution caused by nearby industries. The amount of pollutants in the waters were putting habitats and the wildlife that live there in danger, and effecting…

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…

“Thus, rather than establishing the categorical ban announced by the Court of Appeals—which might frustrate the construction of new plants that would improve existing conditions—the Clean Water Act vests in the EPA and States broad authority to develop long-range, area-wide programs to alleviate and eliminate existing pollution.” Arkansas v. Oklahoma, 503 U.S. 91, 108 (1992)(emphasis added) (internal citation omitted). Here, the Court is determining if the EPA has authority to regulate…