Enforcement provisions under the Clean Water Act authorize action in which forms?

• A. Administrative, civil, or criminal
• B. Civil only
• C. Administrative only
• D. Criminal only

Answer: (A)

Enforcement under the Clean Water Act operates on three tracks: administrative, civil, and criminal. Administratively, the EPA (or a state with delegation) can issue compliance orders and penalties without going to court, handling violations quickly and directly. Civil enforcement allows actions in federal court to seek civil penalties, injunctions, and compliance orders, with responsibility often shared by the federal government and states with approved programs; private parties can also pursue civil actions in some contexts. Criminal enforcement targets willful or knowing violations and can result in fines or imprisonment. Because enforcement is available in all three forms, the best description is administrative, civil, or criminal.