Clean Water Act

Definition

The Clean Water Act is a federal law in the United States that regulates and protects the quality of water in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. It sets standards for wastewater treatment, controls pollution from industries, and aims to maintain the integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

Related terms

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System): This program under the CWA issues permits to regulate point source discharges into waters of the United States.

TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load): TMDL refers to the maximum amount of pollutants that a body of water can handle while still meeting water quality standards.

Wetlands: These are areas where land meets water, such as marshes or swamps. Wetlands play a crucial role in filtering pollutants from runoff before they reach larger bodies of water.