What act regulates the quality of water in the United States?

The Clean Water Act is the principal federal law in the United States that regulates the quality of the nation's waters. Enacted in 1972, this act aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the country's waters by preventing point and non-point source pollution. It provides the foundation for regulating discharges of pollutants into waterways and sets water quality standards for contaminants in surface waters.

The emphasis on maintaining and improving water quality underlines the act's importance in protecting ecosystems, public health, and recreational use. The Clean Water Act also serves as a framework for state and federal collaboration in achieving water quality objectives, ensuring that both local needs and national standards are addressed.

While terms like the Water Quality Control Act and the Safe Water Act might suggest relevance to water regulation, they either refer to different aspects of water management or are not recognized as the central foundational legislation that governs water quality in the U.S. The National Water Protection Act is not a widely recognized or established piece of legislation in the context of water regulation compared to the Clean Water Act. Thus, the Clean Water Act stands out as the definitive law regarding water quality in the United States.