Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Practice Test

Which law initiated stormwater regulations in the United States during the 1970s?

1. The Clean Air Act

2. The Clean Water Act

3. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

4. The Safe Drinking Water Act

The correct answer is: The Clean Water Act

The correct answer is the Clean Water Act. This piece of legislation, enacted in 1972, is the primary law governing water pollution in the United States. It established the framework for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and set water quality standards for surface waters. One of the key provisions of the Clean Water Act is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which requires permits for point source discharges, including stormwater runoff from industrial and municipal sources. This was a pivotal development for stormwater management, as it aimed to significantly reduce the pollution entering water bodies from stormwater and other sources, thereby protecting aquatic ecosystems and public health. The other laws mentioned do not specifically address stormwater regulations. The Clean Air Act focuses on air quality and emissions standards, while the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act deals with waste management and hazardous waste. The Safe Drinking Water Act is concerned with the quality of drinking water rather than stormwater management. Therefore, the Clean Water Act is the cornerstone legislation that initiated and governs stormwater regulations in the United States.