Summary of Clean Water Act

33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972)

The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1977.

Under the CWA, EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. We have also set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.

The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained. EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls discharges. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.

Green Certification

EPA certificate Watershed Academy

What is Green/Eco Consulting?

   Green/ Eco consulting is one of the newest and most exciting of the emerging wave of "green jobs". It is a  field that specializes in assisting home owners and businesses adjust to the Green Economy as the economy moves towards a green paradigm. , An Eco Consultant will evaluate, suggest and implement a series of green improvements while analyzing many aspects to find ways to become more earth friendly. It is hard to define what being green is, it can be confusing. There is no hard and fast standard for green, green is an ever changing continuum.  The Eco Consultant will explain where to find the resources to turn suggestions in to actions by putting clients in touch with the right agencies to accomplish this goal.
     A June 23,2009, article in the San Francisco Chronicle noted that there were currently 3,000 Eco Consultants currently operating in the United States, including architects, interior designers and real estate agents. "The need for experienced and well trained Eco Consultants has never greater," stated the author. "The U.S. government's economic stimulus package contained nearly $80 billion for 'green initiaves' including green energy and green transportation projects. If these efforts are to succeed, they will require an army of Eco Consultants in local communities trained and ready to help home owners, business owners and organizations to put the ideas in to practice."  President Obama made the creation of green jobs-that is, jobs whose main purpose is to promote environmental education, environmental protection and fuel conservation. Green jobs offer offer tremendous "dual opportunity" for the country. Not only will they provide needed work and income for cash strapped Americans, but they will help improve-even save-the environment that our children will inherit.
     Eco Consulting jobs are truly a form of "grassroots environmentalism," an activity that is taking place right in local neighborhoods and communities. Eco Consultants, in fact, are "good neighbors" in every sense of the word. They use their accumulated knowledge and training to help friends, neighbors's and local businesses to take steps that will both save them valuable money and reduce their environmental footprint.