Water quality law

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This article is about the law relating to maintenance and protection of water quality. For the law relating to usage rights, see Water law.
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Water quality law is the area of environmental law governing the emission of pollutants from human sources into the hydrosphere. It may also refer to the regulation of drinking water quality for the protection of human health.

Sources

Oceans and international waters

Marine and ship pollution are serious threats to the world's oceans. The London Convention limits ocean dumping from vessels, aircraft and platforms. MARPOL 73/78 also governs ship pollution.

See also: List of international environmental agreements

Surface waters

Canada

The Canada Water Act is the principal federal law protecting Canadian waters.[1] It is administered by Environment Canada.

United States

Main article: Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution, and is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).[2]

Groundwater/aquifers

United States

Groundwater is protected at the federal level principally through two laws:

Both laws are administered by EPA.

Drinking water

Canada

Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality contains federal drinking water standards.[5] It is administered by Health Canada.

United States

Main article: Safe Drinking Water Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act governs public water systems in the United States, and is administered by EPA. Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Canada Water Act, R.S., 1985, c. C-11.
  2. ↑ Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, P.L. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., as amended.
  3. ↑ Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, P.L. 94-580 (1976), 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., as amended.
  4. ↑ Safe Drinking Water Act, P.L. 93-523 (1974), 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq., as amended.
  5. ↑ Health Canada. Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. December 2010.
  6. ↑ Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, P.L. 75-717 (1938), 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq., as amended.

External links

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