Water quality laws<section begin=overview /> govern the
release of pollutants into water resources, including
surface water,
ground water, and stored
drinking water. Some water quality laws, such as drinking water regulations, may be designed solely with reference to human health. Many others, including restrictions on the alteration of the
chemical, physical, radiological, and biological characteristics of water resources, may also reflect efforts to protect
aquatic ecosystems more broadly. Regulatory efforts may include identifying and categorizing water pollutants, dictating acceptable pollutant concentrations in water resources, and limiting pollutant discharges from effluent sources. Regulatory areas include
sewage treatment and disposal,
industrial and
agricultural waste water management, and control of
surface runoff from construction sites and urban environments.<section end=overview />