SDWA-contaminants, bottle water coverage, non-community, transient or non-transient; community water system; when passed, what covers, PWS, primacy, UIC, national drinking water standard; finished water; Ground water; MCL; Secondary drinking water standards; Source water. 2. CWA–Cuyahoga River; when passed, details on passage, what does it address, NPDES, Point Source pollution, Nonpoint source pollution, how much is non-point, Water quality standards elements and uses, anti-degradation, Impaired waters.

QUESTION

Study Guide 4

1. SDWA-contaminants, bottle water coverage, non-community, transient or non-transient;

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Your Custom Essay on
SDWA-contaminants, bottle water coverage, non-community, transient or non-transient; community water system; when passed, what covers, PWS, primacy, UIC, national drinking water standard; finished water; Ground water; MCL; Secondary drinking water standards; Source water. 2. CWA–Cuyahoga River; when passed, details on passage, what does it address, NPDES, Point Source pollution, Nonpoint source pollution, how much is non-point, Water quality standards elements and uses, anti-degradation, Impaired waters.
Just from $13/Page
Order Essay

community water system; when passed, what covers, PWS, primacy, UIC, national drinking

water standard; finished water; Ground water; MCL; Secondary drinking water standards;

Source water.

2. CWA–Cuyahoga River; when passed, details on passage, what does it address, NPDES, Point

Source pollution, Nonpoint source pollution, how much is non-point, Water quality standards

elements and uses, anti-degradation, Impaired waters.

3. Groundwater/Surface Water guide–hydrologic cycle, Surface water, BOD, six common

pollutants, Criteria pollutants and common pollutants, smog, Stratospheric ozone, majority

source of NO, acid rain, bioaccumlative toxins.

4. CAA guide–CFC’s, Oklahoma EPA Region, VOC’s, SIP, non-road equipment, Donora,

Pennsylvania incident.

ANSWER

 A Comprehensive Study Guide on Environmental Regulations: SDWA, CWA, Groundwater/Surface Water, and CAA

Introduction

In this study guide, we will delve into four significant environmental regulations: the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Groundwater/Surface Water Guide, and the Clean Air Act (CAA). Understanding these regulations is crucial for maintaining the quality of our water and air resources. This guide will provide an overview of each regulation, key concepts, and important details regarding their implementation and impacts.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

The SDWA is a federal law enacted to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water in the United States. Key concepts to understand include:

 Contaminants: The SDWA establishes standards for various contaminants, such as microorganisms, disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides.

 Community Water System: This term refers to a public water system that supplies water to the same population year-round.

Non-Community and Transient/Non-Transient Systems: Non-community water systems serve fewer than 25 residents or have less than 15 service connections. Transient systems serve places like gas stations or restaurants where people do not regularly consume water (Information About Public Water Systems | US EPA, 2022).

National Drinking Water Standards: The SDWA sets national drinking water standards, known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which specify the maximum permissible concentrations of contaminants in drinking water.

Primacy: The SDWA allows states to take on primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) for implementing the Act’s requirements, provided their programs meet or exceed federal standards.

Clean Water Act (CWA)

The CWA is a federal law aimed at protecting and restoring the quality of the nation’s waters. Key concepts to understand include:

 Cuyahoga River: The passage of the CWA was largely influenced by the severe pollution and fire incidents in the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, which highlighted the need for water quality regulation.

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System): The CWA created the NPDES program, which regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources (such as industrial facilities) into navigable waters.

Point Source Pollution: This refers to pollution discharged from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or factory.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: Nonpoint source pollution originates from diffuse sources, such as agricultural runoff or urban stormwater runoff (Basic Information About Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution | US EPA, 2022). It accounts for a significant portion of water pollution.

Water Quality Standards: The CWA establishes water quality standards, which include designated uses of water bodies, criteria to protect those uses, and an anti-degradation policy.

 Impaired Waters: The CWA addresses the identification and restoration of impaired waters, where water quality does not meet applicable standards.

Groundwater/Surface Water Guide

This guide focuses on the interconnection between groundwater and surface water and the associated environmental concerns. Key concepts to understand include:

 Hydrologic Cycle: This refers to the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and bodies of water through processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Surface Water: It includes rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water exposed to the atmosphere.

BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand): BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in water. High BOD levels indicate organic pollution.

Criteria Pollutants and Common Pollutants: Criteria pollutants are six specific air pollutants regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Common pollutants include substances like heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.

Smog and Stratospheric Ozone: Smog refers to air pollution characterized by a mixture of pollutants, while stratospheric ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the protective ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere.

Major Source of NO: Nitric Oxide (NO) primarily comes from the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles and industrial processes.

Acid Rain: Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which react with the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Bioaccumulative Toxins: These are substances that accumulate in the tissues of living organisms over time and can pose risks to human health and ecosystems.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

The CAA is a federal law that regulates air emissions and strives to protect air quality. Key concepts to understand include:

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons): CFCs are synthetic chemicals that were once widely used in aerosol sprays, refrigerants, and foam-blowing agents (NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory – Halocarbons and Other Atmospheric Trace Species, n.d.). They have been phased out due to their harmful effects on the ozone layer.

Oklahoma EPA Region: Oklahoma is located in EPA Region 6, which encompasses several states in the southern part of the United States.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): VOCs are organic chemicals that readily vaporize at room temperature and contribute to air pollution and the formation of ground-level ozone.

SIP (State Implementation Plan): SIPs are state-developed plans that outline how states will attain and maintain air quality standards set by the EPA.

Non-road Equipment: This term refers to vehicles and machinery used off the highway, such as construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and recreational vehicles.

Donora, Pennsylvania Incident: The Donora incident refers to a severe air pollution event that occurred in Donora, Pennsylvania, in 1948. It resulted in numerous deaths and illnesses, leading to increased awareness of air pollution’s health impacts.

Conclusion

Understanding the key aspects and provisions of environmental regulations like the SDWA, CWA, Groundwater/Surface Water Guide, and CAA is essential for safeguarding our natural resources. By comprehending these regulations, their impacts, and their underlying concepts, individuals and communities can contribute to the preservation and improvement of water and air quality for present and future generations.

References

Basic Information about Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution | US EPA. (2022, December 22). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/nps/basic-information-about-nonpoint-source-nps-pollution 

Information about Public Water Systems | US EPA. (2022, November 15). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/information-about-public-water-systems 

NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory – Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species. (n.d.). https://gml.noaa.gov/hats/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html 

 

Homework Writing Bay
Calculator

Calculate the price of your paper

Total price:$26
Our features

We've got everything to become your favourite writing service

Need a better grade?
We've got you covered.

Order your paper