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.

Among other provisions, the 1972 amendment added a whistleblower protection. Employees in the US who believe they were fired or suffered another adverse action related to enforcement of this law have 30 days to file a written complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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