Federal water pollution control act of 1948 pdf

Introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Federal water pollution control act clean water act. Federal water pollution control act financial definition. History of water pollution regulations wisconsin water. Reflects all laws adopted prior to april 1, 2011, that have modified the federal water pollution control act or that have been codified in chapter 26 of title 33. Legislators had made numerous attempts, totaling over 100 bills, to pass legislation over the previous half century, but without success. Technically, the name of the law is the federal water pollution control act. In 1948 the water pollution control act was passed, modestly advancing water pollution control in the post war era.

Federal water pollution control act unt digital library. The basis of the cwa was enacted in 1948 and was called the federal water pollution control act, but the act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. Federal water pollution control act clean water act of 1948. Allowed the surgeon general to sue states which polluted a water body that crossed state boundaries. The united states congress established the federal water pollution control act in 1948.

In 1972, in response to the increased degradation of the nations waters, congress amended the fwpca, replacing the staterun water maintenance system with increased federal obligations, including strict timetables. The cwa was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nations waters. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current shape. This doc ument was adapted from a document originally prepared. The cwa was itself amended in 1977 to regulate the discharge of untreated wastewater from municipalities, industries, and businesses into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nation3s surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Federal water pollution control act clean water act of 1948 originally this act authorized the surgeon general of the public health service, in cooperation with other federal, state and local entities, to prepare comprehensive programs for eliminating or reducing the pollution of interstate waters and tributaries and improving the sanitary. Fedcenter federal water pollution control act clean. Federal water pollution control act united states 1948. Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1974. It is further the policy of the congress to support and aid research relating to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution, and to provide federal technical services and financial aid to state and interstate agencies and municipalities in connec. Whenever an order is issued under this section to abate such violation, at the request of the applicant, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses including the attorneys fees, as determined by the secretary of labor, to have been reasonably incurred by the applicant for, or in connection with, the institution and prosecution of such proceedings, shall be assessed. Copies of water pollution control technical papers, 195367 6,800 microfiche. Estimated that more than 100 similar bills were defeated 19021948.

Clean water act cwa or act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into u. In 1948, congress enacted the water pollution control act to enhance the quality and value of our water resources and to establish a national policy for the prevention, control and abatement of water pollution. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in. An act to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water for the establishment, with a view to carrying out the purposes aforesaid, of boards for the prevention and control of water pollution, for conferring on and assigning to such boards powers and functions. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 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. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current dimensions.

Clean water act, 1948 as amended 1966, 1972, section 10. The cwa prohibits nonpermitted discharges to waters of the. The federal water pollution control act as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this act oct. This was an important step in establishing the basic legal authority for federal regulation of water quality. This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 758 of the 80th congress. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The clean water act of 1972 congress had tackled water pollution as early as 1899, but most legislation lacked teeth. Watershed academy web introduction to the clean water act. A summary of the law summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. In 1948, congress acted for the first time to comprehensively address water quality with passage of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, but.

Clean water act cwa, also known as federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, u. These initiatives focused on giving additional funding to municipalities for constructing wastewater treatment works. The federal role now included authority for investigations, research, and surveys. The secretary of the army, acting through the chief of engineers, is authorized to issue permits. The first fwpca was enacted in 1948, but took on its modern form when completely rewritten in 1972 in an act entitled the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972. The water prevention and control of pollution act, 1974 the federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first major u. It served as a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, which had proven. This allowed the federal government to provide loans for wastewater treatment plant construction, and provide grants for state and local agencies to investigate pollutant sources. The evolution of federal water pollution control policies. This act and the later acts of 1956 and 1961 were set up under the department of the interior with some shared duties with other agencies to deal with pollution on a casebycase basis. In clean water act a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, which had proven ineffective.

Records of the national advisory committee on extramural research and training in water supply and pollution control, 196065. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the clean water act cwa. Water pollution control act of 1948 listed as wpca. Clean water act became the act s common name through amendments in 1977. In 1972, congress passed an amendment to the original act known as the clean water act cwa. The federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first major u. In 1972, amendments to the federal water pollution control act added what is commonly called section 404 authority 33 u. General subject files of the federal water control administration, 196467. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was originally passed in 1948. For the purpose of this section, the administrator is authorized to make joint investigations with. By 1972, congress had voted on an amended version of the law that included the expansion of regulations to prevent pollution of the nations waterways. A summary of the law congressional research service summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as. This law provides the foundation of current water quality and water pollution control regulations.