What is the main goal of the Clean Water Act?

The main goal of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's waters. This legislation is designed to ensure that water bodies are safe for various uses, including recreational activities and the protection of aquatic life. The act establishes a framework for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and sets water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.

This goal encompasses a broad approach to water quality that includes preventing pollution, restoring damaged waters, and protecting ecosystems. Rather than aiming to eliminate all pollution entirely, which can be an unrealistic expectation due to natural and unavoidable sources of contaminants, the act focuses on managing and reducing pollution levels to protect the environment and public health effectively.

While improving water quality for human consumption is an important aspect of water management and quality standards, it is just one facet of the broader goal stated in the Clean Water Act. The regulation of water utility costs is a separate issue not directly addressed by the Clean Water Act, as it primarily focuses on pollution control rather than economic aspects of water distribution and pricing.