An Executive Summary: 16 Air and Water Pollution Issues Facing the Nation

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 and 1977 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 and 1977 were enacted to deal with air and water pollution nationwide. Air quality legislation is intended to protect the public health and welfare from air pollution, and water quality legislation is meant to eliminate the discharge of pollutants and to have swimmable and fishable waters. Programs for achieving these goals have resulted in a cleaner environment, but billions have been spent to date on pollution controls. During the period from 1975 to 1984, about $423 billion may be spent on pollution control by government and industry.