John Scott Duarte: “Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA or States with delegated authority regulate point sources of pollution into the…”

“Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA or States with delegated authority regulate point sources of pollution into the waters of the United States. Point source pollution is pollution from any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, such as pollution from sewage treatment facilities but not agricultural stormwater runoff. This type of discharge pollution is regulated by Federal law to protect water quality and human health. Certain types of wastewater discharges, which are considered point source pollution, into bodies of water can adversely impact water quality and the environment. In California, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is surrounded by communities with wastewater treatment plants. It is critical to ensure that these facilities are not unintentionally or deliberately discharging wastewater into the delta, which can result in harmful algal blooms. This can adversely impact nature and threaten species in the delta, which has a ripple effect that can ultimately result in less water going to the Central Valley for families, farms, and affordable housing. Instead, more water is needed to flush these pollutants out of the delta. My amendment, which I am grateful is included in the en bloc package of amendments, is very simple, Madam Chair.…”