Which act regulates the discharge of pollutants specifically into navigable waters?

The Clean Water Act is the primary legislation that regulates the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters in the United States. Enacted in 1972, this act aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters by setting regulations on the discharge of various contaminants and establishing a system for permitting. It specifically addresses the point sources of pollution, which are discernible, confined, and discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches.

Under the Clean Water Act, certain discharges into navigable waters require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, ensuring that any discharges meet defined standards to protect water quality. This act plays a vital role in controlling pollution and safeguarding public health and the environment.

The other acts mentioned serve different purposes. The Refuse Act focuses on preventing the obstruction of navigable waters, while the Federal Water Pollution Control Act is actually the predecessor to the Clean Water Act and was, in essence, amended and transformed into the Clean Water Act. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (often known as Superfund) is aimed at cleaning up contaminated sites and does not primarily regulate discharges into navigable waters.