Water Pollution Control Act
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The Water Pollution Control Act, passed in 1948, gave authority to Surgeon General to make programs to reduce or eliminate water pollution in rivers, underground rivers, and other waterways, while taking into account the need to conserve and further environmental and human uses.
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[edit] Original statute
The original statute authorized the Federal Works Administrator to work with local agencies in building water treatment plants. Although the legislation created a role for the federal government in water quality control, the primary responsibility of creating and enforcing standards remained with the states. The United States Public Health Service provided fininancial and technical assistance.
[edit] Amendments
The Act was amended many times in the 1950s and 1960s. In general, these amendments gradually increased the programs undertaken by the federal government. The Amendments of 1972 were the basis of what became known as the Clean Water Act.
