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What Is the Clean Water Act?

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide

There are many ways water pollution contributes to fish death.

There are many ways water pollution contributes to fish death.

Doug Menuez/Getty Images
Question: What Is the Clean Water Act?
Here's a look at what the Clean Water Act is and how this legislation is intended to address water pollution.
Answer: The Clean Water Act or CWA is the primary legislation in the United States that addresses water pollution. The goal of the Clean Water Act is to limit the release of high volumes of toxic chemicals into the nation's water and ensure that surface waters met standards for sports and recreational use.

The present legislation is based on the Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972. Significant amendments were added in the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the Water Quality Act of 1987.

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