what were the first laws passed to deal with water pollution
1 The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) was first passed in 1948. 2  It was amended as the Clean Water Act in 1982. 3  The Act makes it illegal to put pollutants into rivers, lakes and streams without a permit. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) was first passed in 1948. 2  It was amended as the Clean Water Act in 1982. 3  The Act makes it illegal to put pollutants into rivers, lakes and streams without a permit.