The ultimate guide to Clean Water Act compliance in 2024 (and beyond)

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Companies that produce and discharge pollutants are subject to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversight under the Clean Water Act. The EPA routinely conducts inspections focused on federal laws like Oil Pollution Act and Clean Water Act compliance. Findings of noncompliance can lead to civil or criminal enforcement. With the federal government’s continued focus on environmental protection, companies in all industries must prioritize compliance in 2024. Those that don’t will be at risk for substantial penalties, and their failure to comply could lead to suspension or termination of their noncompliant operations.

The Clean Water Act is not new. As the EPA explains, the statute’s origins date back more than 75 years: “The basis of the [Clean Water Act] was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972.” Since then, the EPA has continuously enforced the Clean Water Act, adopting a complex set of regulations along the way. With environmental concerns continuing to play an increasingly central role in national (and international) discourse, the Clean Water Act remains as relevant as ever in 2024—and this is likely to be the case well into the future.

“The Clean Water Act is one of several statutes the EPA has been aggressively enforcing in recent years, and this isn’t likely to change any time soon. To avoid unnecessary scrutiny and penalties, companies that produce and discharge pollutants need to ensure that they are devoting adequate resources to Clean Water Act compliance in 2024.” – Dr. Nick Oberheiden, Founding Attorney of Oberheiden, P.C.

With this in mind, companies subject to the Clean Water Act must prioritize compliance in 2024. But, what does this mean, exactly? Clean Water Act compliance is complicated; no two companies’ compliance programs will be (or should be) exactly alike. Here are some key insights on Clean Water Act compliance for 2024 and beyond.