what is the purpose of the clean water act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law that protects the health of our nations waters, including lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. The Clean Water Acts primary objective is to restore and maintain the integrity of the nations waters. The objective translates into two fundamental national goals: to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the nations waters, and to achieve water quality levels that are fishable and swimmable.
Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act is a U.S. federal law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal areas. Passed in 1972 and amended in 1977 and 1987, the Clean Water Act was originally known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.