What is the primary federal law regulating water quality in the United States?

The primary federal law regulating water quality in the United States is the Clean Water Act. This legislation focuses on restoring and maintaining the integrity of the nation's waters by preventing point and nonpoint source pollution, regulating discharges of pollutants, and establishing the structure for water quality standards and permits.

The Clean Water Act was first enacted in 1972 and has been instrumental in improving the quality of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters across the country. It provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to implement pollution control programs and sets water quality standards for surface waters.

While the Safe Drinking Water Act is essential for protecting public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply, it specifically deals with the quality of drinking water rather than the broader scope of surface water quality that the Clean Water Act governs. The Water Pollution Control Act is actually considered part of the Clean Water Act, and while it laid the groundwork for water quality regulation, it does not stand alone as the primary law today. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act primarily focuses on waste management and hazardous waste, rather than directly addressing water quality issues.