Lesson 2a: Pollution Discharge Permits

Under the Clean Water Act, all point source discharges of pollution require a permit. This basic principle is the foundation of water pollution prevention and control in the United States. Generally, anyone who discharges pollutants from a point source without a Clean Water Act permit is breaking the law. There is, of course, a corollary: it is perfectly legal to discharge pollutants if you have a valid permit and comply with its terms. Understanding how the permitting system works is critical for anyone wanting to use the Clean Water Act to protect a river.

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Making the Clean Water Act Work in Illinois

By combining persistence, a good antidegradation policy, direct discussions with permit holders, and a little creativity, Illinois conservationists have found that the Clean Water Act really can work.

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