Which act aims to restore and maintain the quality of water sources?

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is focused on restoring and maintaining the integrity of the nation's waters. This legislation serves as the foundation for water quality regulation in the United States. Its main goal is to eliminate pollution in the waters of the United States and to ensure that surface waters are fishable and swimmable. The act has been amended multiple times, including significant amendments in 1972 that enhanced its effectiveness, leading to the establishment of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

This act is comprehensive in its approach, addressing not only pollution control but also promoting the restoration of polluted waters and establishing water quality standards. It provides the framework for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters and sets the groundwork for states to develop their water quality standards.

Understanding this act's role is crucial for those involved in groundwater management and water quality issues, as it directly addresses the health of all water sources and the ecosystem surrounding them. Other options, while related to water quality, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, focus more specifically on the quality of drinking water rather than the broader scope of all water sources.