What is #CleanWaterAct of United States, What India can learn from it?

Today, the United States marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, passed by Congress on October 18, 1972, which establishes a national approach to improving the quality of America's lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. It also helps local governments establish pollution control plans.

What is the Clean Water Act?

The Clean Water Act of 1977 was intended to address the growing problem of water pollution in the United States. The Act authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set limits on contaminant levels in the nation's water supplies; issue standards for the industry, as well as authorize powers to monitor compliance with said standards.

The EPA has delegated many of these powers to individual states; however, you retain the authority to monitor their policies. In addition, the Water Law has been reformed over the years to anticipate lawsuits from individuals and allow the EPA to grant funds for wastewater treatment plants.

Why it was introduced

In response to the widespread view that public concern about the degradation of water quality and the pollution of our rivers and lakes was unacceptable, the Water Act became law in the United States in 1972. Control of point-source contamination, at specific "pipe end" points of discharge, or outflows such as factories and combined sewers, was a primary focus of the Clean Water Act (CWA). As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the CWA. 1972 Amendments:

• Established infrastructure to regulate pollutant discharge into United States waters.

• Granted the EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industries.

• Maintained existing requirements to set water-quality standards for all contaminants in surface water.

• It made it unlawful for any person to release any pollutant into navigable waters from a point source, unless a permit is obtained under its provisions.

• Funded for the construction of sewage treatment plants under the Construction Grant Program.

• Recognized the need for planning to address the critical problems arising from non-point-source pollution.

How It changed anything

The Clean Water Act has been successful in reducing the pollution entering our rivers and lakes from 'point sources.

• Established infrastructure to regulate pollutant discharge into United States waters.

• Empowered the EPA to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industries.

• Maintained existing requirements to set water-quality standards for all contaminants in surface water.

• Made it unlawful for any person to release any pollutant into navigable waters from a point source unless a permit is obtained under its provisions.

• Funded for the construction of sewage treatment plants under the Construction Grant Program.

• Recognized the need for planning to address the critical problems arising from non-point-source pollution.

What are India's clean water rules or acts?

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and to maintain or restore the health of the water in the country.

The Act was amended in 1988. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted in 1977, which provides for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities.

What India can learn

The Clean Water Act of United States is based on the principle that all discharges into United States waters are illegal without a specific permit and sets out a broad vision to restore the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of our waters.

The Act created federal safeguards to ensure these goals are met and maintained state responsibility for implementing the law.

America's Clean Water Act has been successful in reducing pollution entering our rivers and lakes from "point sources." These are single, identifiable sources of pollution, such as sewage treatment plants and factories.

Through the Clean Water Act, billions of pounds of pollution have been kept out of rivers and the amount of water meeting clean water goals across the country has doubled, with direct benefits to water drinking water, public health, recreation and wildlife.

Also Read

• Sarbal Village: A hamlet in Kashmir waiting for development
• Farmers in MP face crop failure every year due to climate change
• Climate Change: Kishanganga Dam causes water concerns

Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected]