Clean Water Act
SAFE 210
History/Amendments
Recent major amendments were enacted in
1972, 1977, and 1987.
1972 – Established the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES); set effluent standards,
etc.
1977 – Endorsed Flannery Decree approach to
promulgate effluent guidelines, new source
performance standards, and pretreatment standards
for priority pollutants (65 (now 126)), etc.
1987 – Nonpoint management provisions; toxic
pollutant control provisions, etc.
Objective and Goals
Objective: “to restore and maintain the
chemical, physical, and biological integrity of
the nation’s waters.”1
Goals: Elimination of the discharge of
pollutants into surface waters; and
achievement of a level of water quality which
“provides for the protection and propagation
of fish, shellfish and wildlife” and “for
recreation in an on the water.”2
1
2
Section 101(a), 33 U.S.C. § 1251(a)
Section 101(a)(1) & (2), 33 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(1) & (2)
Elements of the CWA
Prohibition of discharges, except as in
compliance with the Act (Section 301)
Permit program to authorize and regulate
certain discharges (Section 402)
System for determining the limitations to be
imposed on regulated discharges (Sections 301,
306, 307)
Process for cooperative federal/state
implementation (Sections 401, 402)
Elements of CWA (cont.)
System for preventing, reporting, and
responding to spills (Section 311)
Permit program governing the discharge
or placement of dredged or fill material
into the nations waters (Section 404)
Strong enforcement mechanisms (Section
309, 505)3
3
Sullivan, Thomas F, et al., Environmental Law Handbook. 16th ed. Government Institutes. Rockville, MD. 2001.
P.249-250.
Discharges
 Prohibition against “the discharge of any
pollutant by any person” except as in
compliance with the Act’s permit requirements,
effluent limitations, and other enumerated
provisions.”4
 Definitions:
 “discharge of a pollutant” – “any addition of any
pollutant to navigable waters from any point
source.”5
4
5
Section 301(a), 33 U.S.C. § 1311(a)
Section 502(12), 33 U.S.C. §1362(12)
Discharges (cont.)
 Definitions:
 “pollutant” - includes “dredged spoil, solid waste,
incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge,
munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive
materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand,
cellar dirt, and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste
discharged into water.6 discharge of a pollutant”6
 “point source” – “any discernable, confined and discrete
conveyance…from which pollutants are or may be
discharged.”7
 “navigable waters” – “all waters of the United States”8
6
7
8
Section 502(6), 33 U.S.C. § 1362(6).
Section 502(14), 33 U.S.C. § 1362(14).
Section 502(14), 33 U.S.C. § 1462(14).
Discharges
Storm water discharges
Defined as “storm water runoff, snow melt runoff,
and surface runoff and drainage”7
Must obtain permit
Indirect discharges
A source introducing pollutants into a POTW.
Pretreatment program
Nonpoint source discharges
- Depends primarily on state implementation
- Requires assessment of waters
- State management programs
NPDES Permit Program
Requires permit for discharges of pollutants
from a point source to waters of US.
Primary purpose of permit is to establish
enforceable effluent limitations, monitoring,
and reporting requirements.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Can be delegated to state or local authorities
NPDES Permit Program
(cont.)
Requires permit for discharges of pollutants
from a point source to waters of US.
Primary purpose of permit is to establish
enforceable effluent limitations, monitoring,
and reporting requirements.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Can be delegated to state or local authorities
NPDES Permit Program (cont.)
Requires permit for discharges of pollutants
from a point source to waters of US.
Primary purpose of permit is to establish
enforceable effluent limitations, monitoring,
and reporting requirements.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Can be delegated to state or local authorities
Determining Limitations
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Maximum amount of pollution that a water
body can receive without violating water
quality standards
Based on a priority ranking for waterbodies
Pollutant trading
Toxicity-based limitations
Biological criteria
Dredged/Fill Material
Section 404 of CWA prohibits the
discharge of dredged or fill material into
navigable waters.
Requires permit
Spills
Section 311 of CWA prohibits the
discharge of oil or hazardous substances
into navigable waters in quantities that
may be harmful.
Requires development of a Spill
Prevention Control and Countermeasure
(SPCC) plan
State Implementation &
Enforcement
States and local can assume active role in
enforcement
States must demonstrate civil and
criminal enforcement authority
EPA still has right to initiate enforcement
actions