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Defining Water Quality: The U.S.Clean Water Act

Chapter 14

2004 Thomson Learning/South-Western

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Understanding Water Resources forPolicy Development

Identifying Water Resources and TheirInterdependence

Surface waterbodies of water open to the earths

atmosphere as well as springs, wells, or othercollectors directly influenced by surface water

Ground waterfresh water beneath the earthssurface, generally in aquifers

Hydrologic cycle the natural movement of waterfrom the atmosphere to the surface, beneath theground and back into the atmosphere

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Targeting Water Quality Policy

Point Source any single identifiable source ofpollution from which pollutants are released, suchas a factory smokestack, a pipe, or a ship

Nonpoint Source a source of pollution that cannotbe identified accurately and degrades theenvironment in a diffuse, indirect way over arelatively broad area

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Setting the Policy Agenda

Water quality is important not only to protect humanhealth but also to protect the ecology and to ensurethat all uses of water are maintained

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Water Quality Legislation in the UnitedStates: Overview

Early U.S. Water Quality Laws

Rivers and Harbor Act of 1899

Water Pollution Control Act of 1948

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Water Quality Legislation in the UnitedStates: Overview

Evolving Toward Todays Policy Position

Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act(MPRSA)

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)

Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977

Water Quality Act of 1987

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Policy Objectives Under the Clean WaterAct (CWA)

Zero Discharge Goal a U.S. objectivecalling for the elimination of all pollutingeffluents into navigable waters

Fishable-Swimmable Goal an interim U.S.objective requiring that surface waters becapable of supporting recreational activitiesand the propagation of fish and wildlife

No Toxics in Toxic Amounts a U.S. goalprohibiting the release of toxic substances intoxic amounts into all water resources

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Policy Objectives Under the Clean WaterAct (CWA)

Identifying Pollutants Under the Clean WaterAct

Toxic pollutant a contaminant which upon

exposure, will cause death, disease abnormalities,or physiological malfunctions

Conventional pollutant an identified pollutant thatis well understood by scientists

Nonconventional pollutant a default category forpollutants not identified as toxic or conventional

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Defining Water Quality: Standard-SettingUnder the Clean Water Act

Receiving water quality standardsstate-established standards defined by usedesignation and water quality criteria

Use Designation- a component of receivingwater quality standards that identifies theintended purposes of a water body

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Defining Water Quality: Standard-SettingUnder the Clean Water Act

Use-Support Status a classification of awater body based on a states assessment of

its present condition relative to what is

needed to maintain its designated usesWater Quality Criteria a component of

receiving water quality standards that givesthe biological and chemical attributes

necessary to sustain or achieve designateduses

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Analysis of Receiving Water QualityStandards

Absence of Benefit-Cost Analysis in Settingthe Standards

Even in states reports to the EPA on use-support

status, benefit-cost assessment is not being done,even though the law calls for such an analysis

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Analysis of Receiving Water QualityStandards

Lack of Consistency with the Technology-Based Effluent Limitations

The link between the water quality standards and

the effluent limitations is blurred because each ismotivated differently

Standards are motivated by water usage

The effluent limits are motivated by technology

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Benefit-Cost Analysis of U.S. WaterQuality Control Policy

Benefit-Cost Analysis of the FWPCA of 1972

Estimating the Benefits of the FWPCA of 1972

Estimating the Costs of the FWPCA of 1972

Benefit-Cost Comparison

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Figure 14.2(a) Benefit-Cost Analysis of the U.S. FWPCA of 1972,as of 1985

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Figure 14.2(b) Benefit-Cost Analysis of the U.S. FWPCA of 1972,as of 1985

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Advances in Benefit-Cost Analysis of U.S.Water Quality Policy

Updated Benefit Estimate of U.S. Water Quality

ControlsContingent valuation method (CVM) can capture

existence value as well as user value ofenvironmental resources

Comparable Costs of U.S. Water Quality Controls

Updated Benefit-Cost Comparison for U.S. WaterControl Policies

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Figure 14.3 Benefit-Cost Analysis of U.S. Post-1972 Water QualityPolicy: Total Social Benefits and Total Social Costs

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Figure 14.4 Benefit-Cost Analysis of U.S. Water Control Policy for1985-1990: Marginal Social Cost and Marginal Social Benefit

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