What is the main goal of the Clean Water Act?

The primary goal of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's waters, with a focus on making all natural waters suitable for fishing and swimming. This involves regulating pollutant discharges into waters and setting water quality standards for all surface waters in the United States. By establishing this objective, the Act aims to protect aquatic ecosystems and promote recreational opportunities, emphasizing the importance of clean water for public health and environmental quality.

While ensuring clean drinking water standards, removing heavy metals from manufacturing, and eliminating specific pollution sources are important measures related to water quality, they represent narrower aspects of the broader mission outlined in the Clean Water Act. The comprehensive intent of the Act encompasses not just the prevention of pollution but also the restoration of waterways to a condition that allows for safe public use and ecological health.