Clean Water Act
Definition
The Clean Water Act is a federal law enacted in 1972 that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal areas.
Analogy
Think of the Clean Water Act as a strict parent who sets rules for their kids' behavior. Just like parents don't want their children to make a mess in the house (the environment), this act doesn't allow industries to dump harmful substances into our water bodies.
Related terms
Point Source Pollution: This refers to pollution that comes from a single identifiable source, like an industrial waste pipe.
Nonpoint Source Pollution: This is pollution that originates from multiple sources spread over large areas. It includes runoff from agricultural fields or urban areas.
Effluent Standards: These are restrictions set by government agencies on the quantity and quality of waste discharged by industries into water bodies.
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