Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act is a United States federal law enacted in 1972 that aims to protect and restore the nation's waters by regulating the discharge of pollutants and setting water quality standards for surface waters. The Act established a permit system for the release of pollutants from point sources, such as industrial facilities and municipal sewage treatment plants, and provides a framework for the management of non-point source pollution, such as runoff from agricultural or urban areas. The Clean Water Act has been instrumental in improving water quality and protecting aquatic ecosystems in the United States.