1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Environmental Law
  4.  » Federal & State Clean Water Act

Federal and State Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act (CWA) was passed in 1972 and has been amended numerous times since. The act regulates pollutant discharges into U.S. waters and it has led to significant improvements in water quality.

The goal of the CWA is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of U.S. waters. It focuses on eliminating discharges of pollutants and toxic substances into our waters and on measuring water quality to ensure that our water is safe for wildlife survival and human recreation.

The Environmental Protection Agency and Pollution Permits

The CWA requires businesses, municipalities, and other entities to obtain permits before releasing pollutants into surface waters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority to implement pollution control programs stemming from the CWA, and it can take legal action against parties who release pollutants without the appropriate permits.

Chenoweth Law Group is based in Portland and has extensive experience handling environmental law cases relating to the Clean Water Act in Oregon, Washington, and California. Whether you are facing EPA enforcement action or want to protect the water on your property or in your community, we have the experience and knowledge to represent you effectively.

State-Specific Concerns

The EPA is a federal agency, and the Clean Water Act is a federal law. Thus, the law remains the same from state to state. However, there are some differences in how each state agency conducts water quality assessments and how the law is enforced. For that reason, it’s important to choose an experienced attorney who is familiar with both the current regulations in your state and the tendencies of all state agencies involved.

Learn How We Can Help: Contact Us Today

CLG is one of the region’s leading law firms and has the knowledge, resources, and expertise to handle your environmental litigation case effectively.

Call us today at 503.446.6261 in Portland or complete our online contact form to discuss your concerns about the Clean Water Act and related laws with our lawyers.

Practice Areas

Chenoweth Law Group