What authority was granted to the EPA by the Clean Water Act?

The Clean Water Act, enacted in 1972, granted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to set wastewater standards for industries to control the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters. This legislation aimed to improve and maintain the quality of the nation's waters by establishing a regulatory framework for both point sources of pollution, such as factories, and non-point sources, which can arise from agricultural run-off or urban development.

Under this authority, the EPA is able to issue permits that dictate the amount and type of pollutants that industries can discharge, thereby helping to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The Act emphasizes the importance of establishing water quality standards and monitoring compliance, which reinforces the EPA’s role in safeguarding public health and the environment through effective management of water resources.

The other options pertain to functions that fall outside the specific mandate of the Clean Water Act. Enforcing air quality standards relates to the Clean Air Act, regulating hazardous waste disposal involves the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and managing soil conservation practices is often handled at a more localized level through various agricultural and land management programs. Each of these areas has its own regulatory framework and associated agencies or laws.