
Happy 50th Anniversary to the Clean Water Act!
The Association of Clean Water Administrators and the EPA Office of Water are excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act with the states!
The Clean Water Act was created in response to increased public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nation’s waters.
Before the CWA, rivers and streams were choked with pollution and were toxic to fish and not fit for recreation. Tremendous progress has been made in the last half century.

Read stories that celebrate our success
We have gathered several stories from members across the United States about how they have used the CWA to protect and restore their water resources to ensure that there is clean water everywhere for everyone.
The results of the Photo Contest are in!
Check out the winners of the Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary Photo Contest – as selected by you! They show how the CWA has helped protect and restore water sources across the United States.
Member Thoughts on the CWA
In the next 50 years, we must recommit to the objectives of the Act and be innovative in the approaches we harness to maintain our successes and address coming challenges. You can stay up to date on the work being done following us at @cleanwateracwa on Twitter and visiting EPA.gov.
On Twitter
Water News from the EPA
- EPA, Oklahoma Officials Celebrate Agriculture Community’s Contributions to Public Health and Environmental Protection
- EPA Finalizes Consent Order for Safe Defueling and Closure of Navy’s Red Hill Fuel Facility
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $500K Cleanup Grant for Polluted Brownfields Site in Rhode Island