Clean Water Act of 1972

The Clean Water Act of 1972 was the beginning of improvements to the water quality in the United States. It addressed water pollution to keep our water resources fresh and clean. It indirectly addressed water conservation as a way of preserving our water supplies. Even with the increasing population, clean water is more prevalent now than in the early 70s.

In the early 1970's, the government of the United States determined that there needed to be some type of regulation to help keep the oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams in the United States clean and free from pollutants. The Clean Water Act of 1972 was one of the answers to this issue that the government and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) created. This set of regulations set limits on the amount of pollutants that could be released into lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans around and in the country. What exactly is covered under the Clean Water Act of 1972?

The Clean Water Act is a method of trying to protect the surface water in the U.S. This act was created to help regulate the amount of pollutant discharge from industries and manufacturers into the water sources. By keeping the water clean, you can help restore the balance of chemicals in the water to keep the water healthy for the aquatic life living in it. Another part of the Clean Water Act of 1972 was the fact that it became illegal to dump pollutants into water unless you have a permit.

Since the implementation of the Clean Water Act, water pollution has been drastically reduced in the United States. That's especially impressive given waterfronts all over the country have seen a significant increase in the number of people living on the water. This had been a goal for many localities to draw more people to the areas that were previously thought to be unusable. These previously unusable areas due to pollution are now high-priced areas that people are clamoring to live in.

Water filtration was brought into the forefront of most people's lives, in addition to water treatment. Water treatment plants were constructed in every area of the United States to help ensure that every person and area had access to clean water. The Clean Water Act of 1972 helped to spur these changes in the communities across the country and in people's lives. Cities were given grants to help build these plants and grants were also given to industries to help them create a more environmentally friendly way of getting rid of their pollutants. All of these changes came together to help make our water sources safer and less polluted.

The Clean Water Act of 1972 has made a big difference in the United States, but more still needs to be done in our country. Communities around the world also need to improve their water quality. By taking care of the water in our area and learning and supporting causes to help other countries get clean water, we can help to make an impact upon the world that will be unparalleled. Learning more about this clean water issue via the internet, the news, and first-hand knowledge can give you the tools that you need to make a difference.

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Kit Cassingham published on October 11, 2007 6:00 AM.

Chicago Water Supply was the previous entry in this blog.

Well Water Filters is the next entry in this blog.

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