Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act
In 1969, the California Legislature enacted the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (the Act) to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of the State's water resources. The Act established the State Water Resources Control Board and nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards as the principal state agencies with the responsibility for controlling water quality in California. Under the Act, water quality policy is established, water quality standards are enforced for both surface and ground water, and the discharges of pollutants from point and non-point sources are regulated. The Act authorizes the State Control Board to establish Water quality principles and guidelines for long range resource planning including ground water and surface water management programs and control and use of recycled water.
