Question

Explain how the Clean Water Act of 1972 protects the environment?

Answer 1

Answer:

(1972) The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. ... Under the CWA, EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry.

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Answer 2

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program - Establishes an effluent permit system for point source (e.g., pipe, ditch, sewer) discharges of pollutants into waters of the U.S. The NPDES permit system requires those permitted to maintain records and report on the amount and nature of discharged effluent waste components. The stormwater program is a part of the NPDES program and is designed to reduce or eliminate the discharge of contaminated stormwater into waters of the U.S. The program requires the following stormwater discharges to be covered by an NPDES permit:

discharge associated with industrial activity

discharge from a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system, or

discharge which EPA or the state/tribe determines contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or which is a significant contributor of pollutants to waters of the United States

National and Local Pretreatment Standards - Requires new and existing industrial users to pre-treat wastewater discharged to Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) to prevent pollutants in excess of certain limits from passing through POTWs, causing interference in the operation of the treatment works and to protect the quality of sludge generated by these plants (§ 307).

Dredge or Fill Discharge Permit Program - Establishes a permit system, administered by the Army Corps of Engineers, for regulating the placement of dredge or fill material into waters of the U.S., including wetlands (§ 404).

Sewage Sludge Use and Disposal Program - Establishes a permit system covering the use and disposal of sewage sludge by land application, surface disposal, incineration, and disposal in a municipal solid waste landfill. Requires generators, processors, users, and disposers of sewage sludge from privately - or Publicly-Owned Treatment Works to meet certain standards (§ 405).

Water Quality Management - 40 C.F.R. Part 130 establishes policies and program requirements for water quality planning, management and implementation under sections 106, 205(j), non-construction management 205(g), 208, 303 and 305 of the CWA. Water quality standards are state or tribal goals for individual water bodies and provide the legal basis for control decisions under the CWA.