ENV 732a () / 2026-2027

U.S. Clean Water Policy

This course provides an in-depth exploration of U.S. clean water policy, focusing on the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act—the cornerstone federal statutes governing surface water and drinking water quality. Students will study the historical context that led to these laws, review key statutory provisions, and analyze how federal regulations and court decisions have shaped implementation over time. Students will also examine major clean water challenges that fall outside these statutes. The course will explore these issues through the lens of economics. Students will critique academic research and gain an understanding of program evaluation, non-market valuation, and cost-benefit analysis related to clean water policies.