The Clean Water Act of 1977 was an important and controversial environmental regulation the United States Congress had passed. As the modification to the Federal Pollution Control Act of 1972, the Clean Water Act of 1977 is the most important federal law that protects the sanitation of water, which includes lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. The Clean Water Act’s main goal is to restore and maintain pure water for the nation and to stop the releasing of harmful pollutants in water. It was also created to reach water quality levels that are safe for animals and human beings.
The Clean Water Act had also set some regulations for those who pours pollutants into the water. The Clean Water Act stated that pouring pollutants into the water is illegal unless the person has obtained a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was created to give industries permits which allowed them to pour the pollutants in the water. An NPDES permit requires industries to have in possession technology that is appropriate for the different types of pollutants being poured. NPDES permits are issued for 5 years and must be renewed to allow for industries
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The first amendment was in 1977 when the Clean Water Act was passed. The Clean Water Act required industries to have permits for pouring pollutants in the water. The second amendment was in 1981 when Congress passed the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Construction Grants Amendments. The Grant amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by requiring treatment works grants be made only for secondary treatment or any cost effective alternative, allow for new interceptors and appurtenances, and infiltration-inflow correction. The third amendment was passed in 1987 during the Water Quality Act. All three of the amendments was approved in the federal interest by assuring water quality in the United