Water Quality Management Planning Is Not Comprehensive and May Not Be Effective for Many Years

Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 authorized a planning program, referred to as 208 planning, to be undertaken in areas with substantial water quality control problems. The program evolved from an optional one for urban regions to a mandatory one carried on by local, state, and interstate planning agencies. Statutory requirements for planning include identifying: (1) needs and methods for financing treatment works; (2) agencies necessary to construct, operate, and maintain facilities, and carry out the plan; and (3) nonpoint sources of pollution and control measures. Planning agencies had up to 2 years to address these requirements, complete initial plans, and submit them to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).