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Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water Acts

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs

The Library of Congress' Congressional Research Service prepares background issue briefs and reports for the U.S. Congress.

Waters of the United States (WOTUS): Frequently Asked Questions About the Scope of the Clean Water Act
R47408    February 23, 2023

Clean Water Act: A Summary of the Law.
RL30030    Updated October 18, 2016
Has a table giving Public Law numbers and dates for the act and major amendments, and main US Code sections.

Clean Water Act Section 401: Overview and Recent Developments
R46615    November 23, 2020

Contaminants of Emerging Concern Under the Clean Water Act
R45998   Updated November 29, 2021

Safe Drinking Water Act: A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements
RL31243    Updated July 1, 2021
Has a table giving Public Law numbers and dates for the act and amendments, and main US Code sections.

Regulating Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
R46652    January 5, 2022

Safe Drinking Water Act: A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements
RL31243    Updated July 1, 2021
Has a table giving Public Law numbers and dates for the act and amendments, and main US Code sections.

Controlling Lead in Public Drinking Water Supplies
IF11302    Updated February 3, 2022

Addressing Lead in Drinking Water: The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
R46794     May 17, 2021

PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions
R45793    Updated January 7, 2022

Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms: Causes,Challenges, and Policy Considerations
R44871      Updated July 8, 2020

Nutrients in Agricultural Production: A Water Quality Overview
R43919     Updated February 29, 2016

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