What is Clean Water Act? Explain Safe Drinking Water Act. Discuss in brief about European Legislation in water quality.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a landmark piece of environmental legislation enacted by the United States Congress in 1972. The primary objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters by regulating pollution discharges into water bodies and setting water quality standards. The CWA establishes a framework for controlling pollution from point sources, such as industrial facilities and wastewater treatment plants, as well as non-point sources, such as runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas. Key provisions of the Clean Water Act include the regulation of pollutant discharges through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, the establishment of water quality standards for surface waters, the protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, and the prevention of oil spills and hazardous substance releases into water bodies.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is another significant piece of environmental legislation in the United States aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water supplies. Enacted in 1974 and subsequently amended, the SDWA establishes national standards for drinking water quality, regulates the treatment and distribution of public drinking water systems, and sets maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for various contaminants that may pose health risks to consumers. The SDWA also requires regular monitoring, testing, and reporting of drinking water quality by public water systems, as well as the provision of consumer information on water quality and potential health hazards.

In Europe, water quality legislation is primarily governed by the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD), adopted in 2000. The Water Framework Directive sets out a comprehensive framework for the protection and management of surface waters, groundwater, and transitional and coastal waters across EU member states. The WFD establishes objectives and quality standards for water bodies, requires the development of river basin management plans, promotes stakeholder participation and public consultation in water management processes, and emphasizes the principles of sustainable water use, pollution prevention, and ecosystem protection. Additionally, the EU has enacted various directives and regulations addressing specific aspects of water quality, such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, the Drinking Water Directive, and the Bathing Water Directive, which aim to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the quality and safety of water resources.