Which program does the Clean Water Act implement for waste management?

The Clean Water Act is primarily designed to regulate the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States and to ensure that water bodies meet certain standards for quality. It implements pollution control programs that set water quality standards and impose regulations on discharges to protect aquatic ecosystems and public health.

These programs include a variety of measures aimed at reducing the amount of pollutants entering waterways, such as the establishment of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which requires permits for any point source discharging pollutants into navigable waters. Additionally, the Clean Water Act encourages the development of state-level water quality standards and plans for reducing pollution through specific measures.

While other programs, such as hazardous waste disposal and soil conservation initiatives, are indeed important aspects of environmental management, they fall under different regulatory frameworks. The Clean Water Act specifically focuses on pollution control related to water quality, which distinguishes it from those other options.