Topic outline

  • Introduction to the Clean Water Act

    Credits: 6 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the US. The act does not deal directly with ground water or with water quantity issues. Some states have chosen to develop ground water quality standards or water quality standards that address streamflow specifically.

    The statute employs various regulatory and non-regulatory tools to sharply reduce direct pollutant discharges into waterways, establish ambient water quality standards, finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and manage polluted runoff. These tools are employed to achieve the broader goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters so that they can support “the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water.”

    The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the act's common name with amendments in 1977. The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit authorized under the CWA was obtained.

    Topics:

    • History of the Clean Water Act (CWA)
    • CWA: Water Quality Based Approach
    • Overview of Key CWA Elements
    • Introduction to WQS
    • WQS: Key Definitions
    • Designated Uses (DU)
    • DU Classifications
    • Water Quality Criteria
    • Sources for Developing Water Quality Criteria
    • Numeric/Biologic Water Quality Criteria and Exemptions
    • Antidegradation, Causes of Impairment
    • Process for Establishing WQS
    • Water Quality Standards Rules
    • Enforceability and Monitoring of WQS
    • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
    • TMDL Caps and Allocations; Effluent Limits, Monitoring
    • Programs, Reporting and Permitting Requirements

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Hydraulic, Drainage, Geotechnical, Civil, Environmental, Water Resources, and other engineers whose job description may require an introductory knowledge of the "Clean Water Act" or "Federal Water Pollution Control Act".
    Publication Source: US EPA

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1