One of the most important aspects of the federal Clean Water Act is the establishment of a uniform system for regulating the release of water pollution in the United States. Under the Clean Water Act, polluters are required to apply for and receive a permit authorizing the discharge of pollutants.  the Act also defines legally enforceable limits on the type and quantity of pollutants that can be released. In addition, the permits themselves define the monitoring requirements necessary to determine a discharge’s impact on the receiving waters and aquatic life therein.