Clean Water Act

Definition

The Clean Water Act is a federal law enacted in 1972 that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal areas.

Related terms

Point Source Pollution: This refers to pollution that comes from a single identifiable source, like an industrial waste pipe.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: This is pollution that originates from multiple sources spread over large areas. It includes runoff from agricultural fields or urban areas.

Effluent Standards: These are restrictions set by government agencies on the quantity and quality of waste discharged by industries into water bodies.