15 Questions
What is a unique property of water that makes it suitable for cooling mechanical and industrial devices?
High specific heat
Why is it important to protect groundwater from contamination?
To prevent toxic chemicals from entering the drinking water supply
What was a major factor leading to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
The lack of regulations protecting clean water
What is a consequence of contaminated water?
It can host diseases and parasites
What is a characteristic of water that allows it to carry a variety of substances?
Its ability to dissolve and carry substances
What was the main reason for the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970?
To consolidate environmental regulations and conservation activity under a single agency
What is the Clean Water Act of 1972 primarily concerned with?
Restricting pollutants discharged from point sources into the water of the United States
What is a point source, according to the Clean Water Act?
A discrete conveyance, such as a pipe, channel, or ditch made for discharging waste
What is not addressed by the Clean Water Act of 1972?
Non-point source pollution, such as agricultural runoff
What was the outcome of the Cuyahoga River catching fire in 1969?
National attitudes about the environment changed, leading to the formation of the EPA and the Clean Water Act
What was the primary motivation behind the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974?
To address the poor job some states were doing in providing safe drinking water
What was the main focus of the original form of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974?
Setting standards on pollutants that affected drinking water and removing them through treatment
What was the result of the amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986 and 1996?
Regulation of water sources to prevent pollution
What is the primary difference between the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act?
The CWA focuses on environmental protection, while the SDWA focuses on drinking water safety
Who is responsible for preparing and making available public reports about water quality?
Community water systems
Study Notes
Importance of Clean Water
- Water is essential for human life, industry, daily life, recreation, and other essential activities.
- Water's ability to dissolve and carry various substances makes it a universal solvent.
- Water's high specific heat makes it a unique cooling agent for mechanical and industrial devices.
Dangers of Dirty Water
- Dirty water can be contaminated with toxic chemicals, diseases, and parasites, making it a health hazard.
- The world's finite water supply is constantly cycling, making it easy to contaminate.
Establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- By the mid-20th century, industrial pollution had become a significant environmental issue.
- The Cuyahoga River caught on fire in 1969, highlighting the need for environmental regulations.
- In 1970, President Richard Nixon proposed the formation of the EPA, which was created later that year.
The Clean Water Act of 1972
- The Clean Water Act requires a permit for any pollutant discharged from a point source into the "water of the United States".
- The Act defines "waters of the United States" and "pollutant" broadly.
- Each state issues its own permits, which comply with a minimum federal standard.
- The Act has improved water quality and soil erosion, and provided federal funds for building water-treatment plants.
Limitations of the Clean Water Act
- The Act does not address non-point source pollution, such as agricultural runoff.
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
- The Safe Drinking Water Act ensures that drinking water is safe for human consumption by removing pollutants and contaminants.
- The Act empowers the EPA to set standards on pollutants that affect drinking water.
- The Act regulates water sources, and requires community water systems to prepare and make available public reports about water quality.
Difference Between the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act
- The Clean Water Act is an environmental protection agency that limits pollution from point sources.
- The Safe Drinking Water Act primarily exists to protect drinking water supplies from various pollutants.
- The Clean Water Act is administered by the EPA, while the Safe Drinking Water Act divides power between federal, state, and local agencies.
Water is essential for human life, industry, and daily activities. It has unique properties, such as being the universal solvent, and is vital for various purposes like cleaning, drinking, and cooking.
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