What is the primary focus of CWA §402?

The primary focus of the Clean Water Act (CWA) §402 is on point-source pollutant discharge permitting. This section establishes a permitting system for discharges of pollutants from point sources into navigable waters. Point sources are defined as discrete conveyances, such as pipes, ditches, and channels, which discharge pollutants directly into water bodies. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is the regulatory program that implements this aspect of the law, requiring facilities that discharge pollutants to obtain permits that set limits on the type and quantity of pollutants they can release. This approach is crucial for protecting water quality and managing the impacts of pollution on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

In contrast, other options address different environmental concerns; groundwater protection and waste management fall under various other regulations, and while fish and wildlife protection is a vital component of environmental legislation, it is not the central focus of §402 specifically.