Clean Water Act
Overview
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251-1387, was adopted in 1948 and, after amendment in 1972 and 1977, became commonly known as the Clean Water Act ("CWA"). This act provides a comprehensive system for the regulation of pollutants in the waters of the United States with the objective of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. The CWA operates by authorizing water quality standards for surface waters, requiring permits for point source discharges of pollutants into navigable waters, assisting with funding for construction of municipal sewage treatment plants, and planning for control of nonpoint source pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") is the primary agency tasked with implementing and enforcing the CWA, although it also works in conjunction with state environmental agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Read the full overview
Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.
Major Statutes
Regulations
40 C.F.R. pts. 104-135
40 C.F.R. pts. 136-140
40 C.F.R. pts. 230-238
40 C.F.R. pts. 401-471
Case Law
Administrative Law Decisions
Center Research Publications
(Goeringer & Rumley, 2009)
Congressional Research Service Reports
Animal Agriculture
Environmental Issues
Agricultural Law Bibliography
Introduction | Keyword Search | Browse Categories
Aquaculture
Environmental Issues
Water Rights: Agriculturally Related
Reference Resources
Environmental Interactions with Agricultural Production Briefing Room
Publications: Wetlands and Agriculture: Private Interests and Public Benefits (Heimlich et al., 1998)
Topic: Natural Resources, Environment, and Conservation
Publications: Economics of Water Quality Protection from Nonpoint Sources: Theory and Practice
(Ribaudo et al., 1999)
Publications: Confined Animal Production and Manure Nutrients (Gollehon et al., 2001)
Publications: Benefits of Protecting Rural Water Quality: An Empirical Analysis
(Crutchfield et al., 1995)
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators
Current Water Quality Conditions and Government Programs to Protect Water Quality (ERS)
Water
Clean Water Act (National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center)
Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental Benefits
Water Quality Standards Handbook: Second Edition
Wetlands
Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads
Clean Water Act Definition of Waters of the United States
Surface and Groundwater in Agriculture
National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center
EPA's National Strategy for Agriculture
Clean Water Act Information
Water Quality Standards for Wetlands: National Guidance
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Survey of the Nation's Lakes
Clean Water Act Module
Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution)
Factsheets:
CAFO Clean Water Act Requirements: What Are the Federal Record-Keeping and Reporting
Requirements?
CAFO Clean Water Act Requirements: What Are the Federal Requirements for Beef Cattle
or Veal Calf?
CAFO Clean Water Act Requirements: What Are the Federal Requirements for Chicken
and Turkey?
CAFO Clean Water Act Requirements: What Are the Federal Requirements for Dairy Cattle
or Heifer CAFOs?
CAFO Clean Water Act Requirements: What Are the Federal Requirements for Duck CAFOs?
CAFO Clean Water Act Requirements: What Are the Federal Requirements for Horse
and Sheep CAFOs?
Threats to Wetlands
Types of Wetlands
Climate Change and Water
Water and the Forest Service
Water Quality Protection Measures
Water Quality Information Center
Agricultural Environmental Management
Natural Resources and Environment
Soil and Water Management
Water Quality and Quantity
National Water and Climate Center
National Water Management Center
Water Resources of the United States
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Nutrients National Synthesis Project
Pesticide National Synthesis Project
Water Quality and Nonpoint Pollution in Agricultural Watersheds
Water Data for the Nation
Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water (1992-2001)
Animal Feeding Operations: Effects on Hydrologic Resources and the Environment
Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Animal Feeding Operations
Water Quality from Pollutants of Concern (GAO-08-944)