Water Quality Renewal Act of 1985

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #250 (340-83))

Water Quality Renewal Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1983 through 1990 for: (1) specified research, investigation, and training programs in water pollution control; (2) State and interstate pollution control programs; (3) undergraduate programs in water quality control; (4) grants for developing waste treatment management plans for areas with substantial water quality control problems; (5) water pollution control programs in agricultural areas; (6) agreements among Government agencies providing for maximum use of existing programs for water quality control; (7) grants to States for lake pollution control; and (8) carrying out the Clean Water Act generally.

Authorizes appropriations for grants for construction of waste treatment works for FY 1986 and 1990.

Extends the compliance date for specified priority toxic pollutants, all other toxic pollutants and the application of best available technology for all other pollutants to no later than three years and six months after effluent limitations are established.

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate final regulations establishing effluent limitations for direct dischargers and limitations requiring pretreatment for all the priority toxic pollutants which are discharged from certain categories of point sources in accordance with a specified schedule.

Requires each State to report within the year to the Administrator a list for approval of all navigable waters where the applicable water quality standard will not be met despite meeting with best available technology (BAT) and best conventional technology (BCT) requirements because of discharges from specified point sources of toxic pollutants. Requires the State to develop a control strategy for such waters to achieve the applicable standard within three years at the latest. Requires the Administrator to develop a control strategy whenever a State fails to do so adequately such that the waters in question reach the applicable standard within three years of the final strategy's promulgation. Requires the Administrator to implement such strategies through permits or their modification. Permits citizen suits to review the Administrator's strategies.

Makes it national policy to control nonpoint pollution sources as quickly as possible.

Directs the Governor of each State to submit to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for approval a report: (1) identifying navigable waters not meeting applicable water quality standards because of pollution from nonpoint sources (e.g., rainfall runoff as opposed to identifiable pipes); (2) identifying categories of significantly polluting nonpoint sources; (3) identifying State and local programs for controlling such pollution and improving the water quality of the navigable waters; and (4) describing administrative measures to be taken. Directs the Administrator to identify such waters and the nonpoint sources of such pollution if the Governor does not submit such report within a specified time.

Requires each Governor to also submit to the Administrator for approval a four-year plan for controlling nonpoint pollution and a report identifying State or Federal agency programs which might conflict with such plan, together with recommendations for modification of existing programs. Requires each four-year plan to target offending land areas for the best land management practices, including the scheduling of targeted areas and categories of nonpoint pollution for implementation of such practices. Requires additional information by way of technical and financial means to be used to improve water quality.

Directs the Administrator to consolidate and convey to the appropriate Federal agencies recommended modifications of existing programs necessary to implement States' four-year plans, which such agencies will comply with to the degree possible, consistent with existing law. Provides opportunities for revision of faulty plans. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance to a local agency to develop a four-year plan if a State fails to submit a satisfactory plan and the local agency is of sufficient geographical size. Treats such local agency as a State agency for implementation assistance purposes after such plan has been approved.

Directs the Administrator to convene a management conference of the affected States when any State is unable to meet its applicable water quality standards because of pollution from nonpoint sources in another State. Requires the offending State to submit a plan for approval or revise an approved plan to reduce the pollution in the affected portion of navigable waters.

Directs the Administrator to provide grants to States to assist in the implementation of approved four-year plans. Limits the Federal share to a maximum of 50 percent of costs, increased to 60 percent for watersheds with significant private participation in implementing nonpoint source pollution control measures. Sets forth other terms and conditions for such grants, including reporting and administrative requirements.

Limits each grant per State to a maximum of 15 percent of total authorizations.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Authorizes the Administrator to give funding priority to States which have implemented effective regulatory mechanisms.

Directs the Administrator to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the progress made in reducing nonpoint source pollution in navigable waters. Directs the Administrator to make a final report by January 1, 1989, analyzing the effectiveness of the plans and State participation.

Directs the Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees a lake restoration guidance manual establishing procedures to guide future State and local efforts to improve water quality in lakes.

Earmarks funds for a small flows clearinghouse within EPA to collect and disseminate information on small flows of sewage and innovative or alternative wastewater treatment processes and techniques.

Adds to the authorized uses of grants for construction of treatment works projects to address water quality problems due to impacts of discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows.

Increases the amount of additional funds which the Administrator shall have available for addressing water quality problems of marine bays and estuaries subject to lower levels of water quality due to the impact of discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows.

Deems the activated bio-filter feature of the project for treatment works of Little Falls, Minnesota, an innovative wastewater process and technique entitled to an 85 percent grant.

Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to fund all the costs of modifying or replacing biodisc equipment (rotating biological contractors) in any publicly owned treatment works if deficiencies are not attributable to negligence.

Makes the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority project eligible for grants of 75 percent of construction costs.

Permits the use of Farmers Home Administration funds for the nonfederal share of construction costs for publicly-owned treatment works under this Act.

Directs the Administrator to make preconstruction agreements with grant applicants for treatment work construction assistance to specify which costs are eligible for Federal payments.

Requires grantee certification that the treatment process meets the applicable effluent limitations before the Administrator approves a project.

Permits construction of sewage treatment works utilizing turnkey contracts.

Sets forth contract terms and conditions concerning design approval and payments, including interest payments.

Qualifies for treatment works grants purposes a system of user charges imposing lower charges for low-income residential users.

Requires the Administrator to allot to States treatment works construction grants for FY 1986 through 1990. Extends through FY 1990 the authorization of appropriations for minimum allotments to States and specified U.S. territories and possessions. Increases the allotment for specified U.S. territories and possessions.

Extends through FY 1990 the reservation of certain amounts from State allotments for State administrative expenses. Directs the Administrator to reserve specified amounts from the allotments of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to make grants to the Interstate Sanitation Commission established by their interstate compact if such States do not make the required payments.

Increases the mandatory set-aside for rural States and other States to up to seven and one-half percent.

Extends through FY 1990 specified provisions relating to minimum expenditures for increasing the Federal share of grants for construction of treatment works utilizing innovative processes and techniques.

Requires a State to allocate at least 50 percent of its water quality management planning grant to regional and interstate public comprehensive organizations if it would significantly assist in encouraging such organizations' participation in developing wastewater treatment programs.

Directs the Administrator to reserve specified appropriations for audits of such construction projects.

Establishes a program of grants to States for establishment of State water pollution control revolving funds for providing assistance to municipalities and intermunicipal and interstate agencies for construction of publicly owned treatment works consistent with developed plans.

Requires annual audits and reports on the expenditure of such funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1994. Allocates funds in accordance with the Federal construction grants table. Requires States to reserve funds for planning. Provides for reallocation of unspent funds.

Permits the Administrator to modify the effluent limitations for nonconventional pollutants such as ammonia, chlorine, color, iron, and total phenols. Permits the Administrator to add or delete from the list of pollutants for which such modification is permitted as indicated by current evidence or the lack of it. Requires that such modifications not interfere, alone or in combination, with the prescribed water quality standard.

Requires as new conditions for the modification of treatment requirements with respect to the discharge of pollutants from a publicly owned treatment works that an applicant for such modification demonstrate that: (1) in the case of a treatment works serving a population of 50,000 or more, there is in effect a specified pretreatment program for toxic pollutants introduced into such works for which there is no pretreatment requirement in effect; and (2) the effluent which is discharged from such works is receiving primary treatment and meets the criteria for water quality established by the Administrator.

Revises the meaning of the phrase "discharge of any pollutant into marine waters."

Extends the innovative technology compliance deadlines for direct dischargers.

Permits variances from an otherwise applicable effluent limitation or pretreatment standard if an applicant can demonstrate during the rulemaking (or didn't have an opportunity to demonstrate) that factors relating the facilities, equipment, and processes of such person are fundamentally different from the factors considered in the rulemaking. Requires the Administrator to assess and collect fees for variance applications. Requires the Administrator to report biannually to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of variance applications.

Permits the modification of pH levels and the amount of iron and manganese in discharges from remined areas of coal remining operations if such operations provide potential for water quality improvement and use the best available technology.

Directs the Administrator to consider the effects of specified factors on the ecosystem when developing water quality criteria, providing an ample margin of safety to protect human health and fish and wildlife resources. Directs the Administrator to publish a description of significant differences of opinion concerning a pollutant. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the economic effects, climatic cycles, and state recommendations should be considered when water quality criteria are developed. Reduces the time in which the Administrator must promulgate guidelines establishing test procedures for the analysis of pollutants.

Authorizes a two-year extension for a treatment works to comply with a categorical pretreatment standard if it uses an innovative treatment system which has potential for industry-wide application and the treatment works can still comply with the terms of its permit.

Establishes criminal penalties for the knowing disclosure of confidential information gained by authorized personnel in the course of inspection of treatment facilities.

Increases criminal and civil penalties. Adds administrative civil penalties for specified violations. Establishes criminal penalties for the knowing endangerment of a person through violations of specified provisions.

Excludes discharges from a deepwater port or a vessel within a deepwater port safety zone subject to the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 from liability under this Act.

Permits a State to adopt more stringent standards for marine sanitation devices on a houseboat than those required under Federal law.

Revises the Clean Lakes Program to include saline as well as fresh water lakes.

Directs the Administrator to make grants to States for priority projects for control of nonpoint pollution contributing to the degradation of water quality in lakes. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on the water quality of lakes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986-1990.

Directs the Administrator to study water quality problems in Lake Houston, Houston, Texas, and undertake control measures to improve water quality. Directs the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on such study and measures. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct a one-year comprehensive study of the Beaver Lake, Arkansas; (2) undertake a demonstration project for measures identified in such study for preserving and enhancing the reservoir's water quality; and (3) report, with recommendations, on such study and project to specified congressional committees.

Makes specified funds available for such purposes.

Directs the Administrator to undertake demonstration projects for specified cleanup operations for the following New Jersey bodies of water: (1) Greenwood Lake and Belcher Creek; (2) Deal Lake; and (3) Alcyon Lake. Directs the Administrator to report on such projects to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to do the same for Sauk Lake, Minnesota, and Lake Worth, Texas.

Increases from five to ten years the permit term under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System System (NPDES) unless a permit modifies specified requirements or the applicant has not consistently complied with any NPDES permit held by such applicant.

Requires that such permits be modified promptly to insure compliance with any new or revised effluent limitation for toxic pollutants or any new or revised requirement pursuant to water quality standards established under specified provisions of the Clean Water Act which is more stringent than those in the existing permit.

Prohibits the Administrator from requiring an NPDES permit for discharges of stormwater runoff from mining operations or oil or gas operations composed entirely of flows which are from conveyances or conveyance systems used for collecting and conveying precipitation runoff and which do not come in contact with process wastes, overburden, raw materials, toxic pollutants above natural background levels, spilled product, hazardous substances, or oil, or grease. Requires any person discharging such stormwater runoff to monitor the quality of water in such flows and report at least annually to the Administrator on the results of such monitoring. Requires the Administrator to identify classes and categories of industrial discharges which, although composed entirely of stormwater runoff, constitute significant contribution of pollutants to the navigable waters or violate a water quality standard. Requires the Administrator to regulate such runoffs, based upon the results of study due by December 31, 1987.

Prohibits the Administrator from requiring additional pretreatment by a discharger of conventional pollutants when its publicly-owned treatment works is not meeting NPDES permit requirements because of inadequate design or operation.

Authorizes a partial NPDES permit program covering a portion of the discharges into the navigable waters in such State if it covers administration of a major category of such discharges or a major component of the State's NPDES permit program.

Provides that a State may return, or the Administrator may withdraw approval of, delegated NPDES permit program responsibilities.

Permits the merger of permit requirements for log transfer facilities subject to both EPA's and the Army's jurisdiction so long as certain requirements are satisfied.

Sets forth anti-backsliding requirements relating to renewal or reissuance of NPDES permits. Makes such requirements effective for 30 months. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress within two years on the extent to which States have modified water quality standards or NPDES permits should be modifiable to permit less stringent effluent limitations.

Permits the Administrator to enter into noncompetitive procurement contracts with State audit organizations for audits of recipients of Federal assistance under this Act.

Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands within the definition of "State".

Excludes agricultural stormwater discharges from the definition of "point source" pollution.

Requires that the Attorney General and the Administrator receive notice of any citizen suits or proposed consent judgments.

Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on the effects of dams on water quality and the performance of State revolving loan funds.

Directs the Administrator to assess the sewage treatment works needs of Indian tribes. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress within one year on such assessment. Requires the Administrator to reserve specified funds after FY 1986 for such needs. Authorizes the Administrator to treat an Indian tribe like a State for specified purposes of this Act, including nonpoint source program grants.

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue the Chesapeake Bay Program and establish an Office for same within EPA to: (1) collect and disseminate research and other information on the environmental quality of the Bay; (2) coordinate Federal research efforts; (3) conduct research on sediment deposition in the Bay; and (4) conduct research on how environmental changes effect the living resources of the Bay, with particular emphasis on the impact of pollutant loadings. Directs the Administrator to make a grant to a State affected by the interstate management plan developed under the Bay Program to implement management mechanisms in the plan if the State has approved and is committed to implementing all or substantially all aspects of the plan. Requires a State or combination of the States, in order to qualify for such grants, to submit a plan of proposed abatement actions to reduce Bay pollution and meet applicable water quality standards and of estimated costs for the approval of the Administrator. Limits such grants to 50 percent of the plan implementation costs. Limits administrative costs. Requires States to submit progress reports biennially to the Administrator for transmittal to the Congress.

Directs the Administrator to make a grant to assess the principal factors having an adverse effect on the environmental quality of the Narragansett Bay in conjunction with developing and implementing a management program to improve such Bay's water quality. Limits such grants to 50 percent of the program implementation costs. Requires a State to submit a description of the proposed program for Administrator approval, demonstrating that it will: (1) establish a committee to provide advice on design and implementation of a management program and to coordinate communication on issues affecting such Bay's water quality; (2) review and coordinate Federal and State water pollution abatement programs; (3) establish methods for improving sampling data collection and a system for collecting, analyzing, storing, and disseminating such data; and (4) develop and implement water quality management practices and measures to reduce pollutant loadings in such Bay. Requires States to submit annual progress reports to the Administrator.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for such Chesapeake and Narragansett Bays programs.

Sets forth provisions relating to the New York and New Jersey Harbor area. Directs the Administrator to: (1) collect and make available information on the environmental quality of the Harbor; (2) coordinate Federal and State improvement efforts; and (3) determine the impact of environmental changes on the living resources of the Harbor and on adjacent coastal areas, with particular emphasis on the impact of certain pollutant loadings.

Directs the Administrator to make a grant to implement the management mechanisms contained in an interstate management plan for such Harbor. Allows an affected State or States to submit for Administrator approval such a plan, including the estimated cost of the proposed abatement actions. Limits the grant to 50 percent of implementation costs. Limits administrative costs. Requires such States to submit biennial progress reports on the implementation of such plans for transmittal to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.

Directs the Administrator to initiate a San Francisco Bay program to: (1) collect and make available information on the environmental quality of the Bay; (2) coordinate Federal, State, and local efforts to improve the water quality of the Bay; (3) establish a committee to provide advice on the development and implementation of such management program; (4) determine the impact of environmental changes on the living resources of the Bay; and (5) develop a management plan to reduce pollutant loadings and improve the water quality. Directs the Administrator to make a grant to the State of California to implement such plan if approved, up to 50 percent of implementation costs. Limits administrative costs. Requires California to report biennially to the Administrator on the implementation of such plan. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.

Authorizes the Governor of any State to nominate to the Administrator an estuary within their jurisdiction which they believe is of national significance and request a management conference to develop a comprehensive management plan. Directs the Administrator to convene such conference if the need for it is sufficiently documented. Sets forth the factors upon which the Administrator must base such a decision, including: (1) the ecological significance of such estuary; (2) the biological productivity of such estuary; (3) the extent of commercial and residential impairment; and (4) the degree to which the conference may significantly contribute to the estuary's health. Prohibits convening such a conference before a final adjudication has been made in any pending State boundary dispute involving such estuary or if there already exists an adequate management program.

Provides for Federal and affected State representation on such conference, including the Administrators of EPA and of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Requires the management plan developed by such conference to be coordinated with the relevant special area plan under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Requires the Conference to use existing data and convene for at least four years. Authorizes the Administrator of EPA to make grants to States up to 50 percent of implementation costs. Requires Administrator approval of such plan.

Permits the estuarine conference to develop a research plan, utilizing advisory committees with particular expertise to assist. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct such research and any research needed to determine whether a conference should be held.

Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress biennially on estuarine health and research. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.

Directs the Administrator to research the harmful effects on the health and welfare of persons caused by pollutants in water, especially the bioaccumulation of these pollutants in aquatic species and any reduction in the value of aquatic industries. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.

Revises the sewage sludge disposal timetable. Directs the Administrator to identify in two stages those toxic pollutants which may be present in sewage sludge in concentrations which may adversely affect public health or the environment. Directs the Administrator to publish regulations specifying acceptable management practices and establishing numerical limitations for each such pollutant and requiring compliance within 12 months after publication. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate a design, equipment, management practice, or operational standard for certain pollutants if a numerical limitation is not feasible and the same protection can be achieved. Authorizes the Administrator to initiate studies and projects to promote the safe and beneficial use of sewage sludge. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator, in consultation with Federal and Washington State authorities, to develop a comprehensive master plan for Puget Sound, Washington, recommending corrective actions and compliance schedules for point and nonpoint pollution and monitoring the effectiveness of such actions. Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to such State of 50 percent of the implementation costs for such plan. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988.

Authorizes the Administrator to issue a research permit to the Orange County, California, Sanitation Districts for the discharge of preconditioned municipal sewage sludge into the ocean to analyze the effects of disposing of such sludge by way of pipelines. Limits such permit to five years. Limits the amount of sludge which may be discharged. Requires such districts to report to the Congress on the results of such program.

Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to provide alternate water supplies to replace contaminated groundwater. Makes owners or operators of a public water system or units of local government eligible for such assistance. Limits the Federal share of costs to 50 percent, also limiting the maximum amount of any one grant and total grants within a State.

Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on such grants program, including information on the sources and extent of groundwater contamination and the number of people affected. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988.

Requires the Administrator to make a grant to Jacksonville, Arkansas, for such purpose.

Prohibits the location or placing of a landfill, injection well, or land treatment facility, or the placement of solid waste in any of these if they are located over the Unconsolidated Quarternary Aquifer, or the recharge zone of such aquifer in the Rockaway River Basin, New Jersey.

Directs the Administrator to make grants to States for groundwater quality protection activities. Limits such grants to 50 percent of costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.

Directs the Administrator to make grants for and report to the appropriate congressional committees on State demonstration programs to restore the biological integrity of acidified lakes and watersheds through liming and other procedures.

Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to the city of New York to install additional facilities and make modifications necessary for the Newtown Creek sewage treatment plant to provide secondary treatment. Limits the grant to 75 percent of costs. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to the state of California, for construction of a project consisting of publicly owned treatment works in San Diego, to provide primary or advanced treatment of municipal sewage and industrial waste for the city of Tijuana, Mexico, and for San Diego. Requires the Administrator to make additional grants for defensive treatment works in case of breakdown. Authorizes the Administrator to permit ocean discharge of certain specially-treated pollutants.

Directs the Administrator to make grants to the county of Cochise, Arizona, for construction of a project consisting of publicly owned treatment works in Naco, Arizona, to provide primary or more advanced treatment of untreated sewage emanating from the city of Naco, Sonora, Mexico and municipal sewage or industrial waste from Naco, Arizona. Authorizes appropriations.

Imposes a cap on raw sewage discharges from the drainage areas of the North River Plant, Manhattan, New York, and the Red Hook Plant, Brooklyn, New York, into navigable water (the Hudson-Raritan Estuary) if New York City fails to meet the deadlines for achieving advanced preliminary treatment contained in the consent decree of December 30, 1982 (August 1, 1986, for the North River plant; August 1, 1987, for the Red Hook plant). Permits the Administrator to raise such cap for seasonal variation or so-called acts of God.

States that violations of these requirements shall be considered violations of the Clean Water Act as well as of the consent decree.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator should not agree to any further modification of the advanced preliminary treatment schedule in the consent decree.

Directs the Administrator to work with New York City, implement monitoring activities for both plants, and commence enforcement actions in the event of unexcused violations.

Directs the Administrator to make grants to the Metropolitan District Commission, Massachusetts, for a project to undertake emergency improvements at the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant in Boston, Massachusetts. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988.

Designates the Great Lakes National Program Office of EPA as the Great Lakes International Coordination Office to coordinate international (Canada), Federal, State, and local actions aimed at improving Lake water quality. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Establishes within NOAA the Great Lakes Research Office to be located in a Great Lakes State to develop a research program and facilitate information and research exchange. Directs such office to monitor research needs and prepare a joint research plan with the coordination office.

Directs the Administrator to submit annually to the Congress a comprehensive assessment of the planned efforts to be pursued in the succeeding fiscal year for implementing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978 and another annual report assessing the progress of the previous year.

Directs the Administrator to pay, in the same proportion as the Federal share of other project costs, all expenses for the relocation of facilities for the distribution of natural gas with respect to the entire waste water treatment works known as Oakwood Beach and Red Hook projects, New York. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to remove raw sewage discharged into Brady's Run and the Beaver River, Pennsylvania, resulting from the destruction of the Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania, sewage treatment facility.

Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant of 75 percent of construction costs to the city of Des Moines, Iowa, for construction of the Central Sewage Treatment Plant. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to the San Diego Water Reclamation Agency, California, to demonstrate innovations in wastewater reclamation. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to make grants of up to 75 percent of costs to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority for the construction of necessary secondary waste water treatment works to improve the water quality of Boston Harbor and adjacent waters.

Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for similar purposes under similar conditions to the sewage treatment authorities discharging into Puget Sound and adjacent waters. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to make grants for treatment works improvement programs for: (1) Avalon, California; (2) Walker and Smithfield Townships, Pennsylvania; (3) Taylor Mill, Kentucky; and (4) Watsonville, California.

Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to the State of California for the construction of a collection system for specified areas of Nevada County.

Directs the Administrator to make grants to the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewage Authority, New Jersey, for the construction of treatment works of a specified capacity. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of construction costs.

Directs the Administrator to make grants to Lena, Illinois, for the construction of a replacement moving bed filer press for the treatment works. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of construction costs.

Requires Pennsylvania to give Federal funding priority to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority Secondary treatment project.

Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility and desirability of eliminating the regulation of de minimus discharges of pollutants into navigable waters. Directs the Administrator to report on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after enactment of this Act.

Directs the Administrator to study the effectiveness of specified innovative and alternative wastewater treatment processes and techniques which have been used in treatment works constructed under the Clean Water Act. Directs the Administrator to report within two years on such study to specified congressional committees.

Directs the Administrator to study the water quality improvements which have been achieved by application of best available technology economically achievable pursuant to specified provisions of such Act, to reporting to specified congressional committees within two years after the enactment of this Act.

Directs the Administrator to study the testing procedures for analysis of pollutants established under specified provisions of such Act. Directs the Administrator to report, on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to conduct biennially a state-of-the art review of such test procedures to determine their adequacy and effectiveness. Directs the Administrator to submit to such congressional committees recommendations based on such review for modifying such test procedures to improve their effectiveness.

Directs the Administrator to study the pretreatment of toxic pollutants and report to the appropriate congressional committees within two years after enactment of this Act.

Directs the Administrator to study methods for controlling point and nonpoint sources of pollution in specified groundwater systems and aquifers, including: (1) the Upper Santa Cruz Basin and the Avra-Altar Basin of Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona; (2) the Spokane-Rathdrum Valley Aquifer, Washington and Idaho; (3) the Nassau and Suffolk Counties Aquifer, New York; (4) the Whidbey Island Aquifer, Washington; (5) the Unconsolidated Quarternary Aquifer, Rockaway River area, New Jersey; and (6) the Sparta Aquifer, Arkansas. Directs the Administrator and the appropriate State and local authorities to prepare a management plan for implementing appropriate control methods. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress within one year on the interim and within two years on the final status of such studies and plans. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Administrator to undertake a study on consumptive uses of Great Lakes water, focussing on control measures which would reduce the quantity of water consumed without adversely affecting the projected growth of the region. Requires that such study include an analysis of both existing and new technology, including assessments of water quality assessment methodologies, the economic and environmental affects of manufacturing uses, and regulation of such uses. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to study the problem of the corrosive effects of sulfides in collection and treatment systems, the extent to which the uniform imposition of categorical pretreatment standards will exacerbate this problem, and the range of available options to deal with the effects. Requires that such study be conducted in consultation with the Los Angeles City and County sanitation agencies which have observed examples of corrosion probably caused by sulfides. Directs the Administrator to report on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Administrator to prepare a study-report for specified congressional committees on the feasibility of achieving compliance with specified environmental standards using the best practicable technology for the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company, Sitka, Alaska, and the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Ketchikan, Alaska.

Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress within one year on the problems of rainfall induced infiltration into wastewater treatment sewer systems.

Directs the Administrator to study and report within one year to the Congress on effluent limitations as they relate to pH in discharges from mining operations.

Directs the Administrator to study and report within one year to the Congress on the sources of pollution in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, and the Clark Fork River, Idaho, Montana, and Washington.

States that an individual's rights under other Federal statutes for damages caused by noncompliance with this Act remain unaffected.