Federal water pollution control act of 1948 pdf

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 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. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. Legislators had made numerous attempts, totaling over 100 bills, to pass legislation over the previous half century, but without success. Introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Copies of water pollution control technical papers, 195367 6,800 microfiche. 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.

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 or act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into u. Fedcenter federal water pollution control act clean. 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.

For the purpose of this section, the administrator is authorized to make joint investigations with. Clean water act became the act s common name through amendments in 1977. This was an important step in establishing the basic legal authority for federal regulation of water quality. 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. This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 758 of the 80th congress. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as.

Water pollution control act of 1948 listed as wpca. The federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first comprehensive statement of federal interest in clean water programs. The federal role now included authority for investigations, research, and surveys. The cwa was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nations waters. The secretary of the army, acting through the chief of engineers, is authorized to issue permits. Federal water pollution control act clean water act of 1948. Federal water pollution control act united states 1948. Federal water pollution control act clean water act. These initiatives focused on giving additional funding to municipalities for constructing wastewater treatment works. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the clean water act. The cwa prohibits nonpermitted discharges to waters of the. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the clean water act cwa. Allowed the surgeon general to sue states which polluted a water body that crossed state boundaries. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current dimensions.

Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current shape. Records of the national advisory committee on extramural research and training in water supply and pollution control, 196065. 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. 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. Estimated that more than 100 similar bills were defeated 19021948. 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. 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.

History of water pollution regulations wisconsin water. Federal water pollution control act chapter 758 of the 80th congress 33 u. Watershed academy web introduction to the clean water act. The water prevention and control of pollution act, 1974 the federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first major u. Clean water act cwa, also known as federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, u. This doc ument was adapted from a document originally prepared. In this lesson, students consider how the clean water act of 1972 became a law. 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. 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. 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. The federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first major u. Federal water pollution control act financial definition. 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. 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.

In 1948 the water pollution control act was passed, modestly advancing water pollution control in the post war era. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was originally passed in 1948. General subject files of the federal water control administration, 196467. The water pollution control act of 1948 was the first federal legislation to deal with water pollution directly. This law provides the foundation of current water quality and water pollution control regulations. 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. In clean water act a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, which had proven ineffective. Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1974.

Federal water pollution control act unt digital library. In 1972, amendments to the federal water pollution control act added what is commonly called section 404 authority 33 u. The evolution of federal water pollution control policies. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in. 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. Clean water act, 1948 as amended 1966, 1972, section 10. 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. The united states congress established the federal water pollution control act in 1948. The federal water pollution control act as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this act oct. Technically, the name of the law is the federal water pollution control act.

In 1972, congress passed an amendment to the original act known as the clean water act cwa. It served as a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of 1948, which had proven. 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. The clean water act of 1972 congress had tackled water pollution as early as 1899, but most legislation lacked teeth.