Clean Water Act Violation Statute of Limitations

What is the Statute of Limitations for Clean Water Act (CWA) Violations?

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law in the United States that regulates water pollution and the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters. The statute of limitations for a violation of the CWA depends on the type of violation and the type of enforcement action being taken.

For administrative enforcement actions, such as notices of violation or compliance orders issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the state, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of the violation.

For civil enforcement actions, such as lawsuits brought by the EPA, the state, or private citizens, the statute of limitations is typically five years from the date of the violation, or three years from the date when the violation was discovered, whichever is later.

For criminal enforcement actions, such as the prosecution of individuals or companies for knowingly or willfully violating the CWA, the statute of limitations is typically five years from the date of the violation.

It's important to note that these are general guidelines and the specific statute of limitations for a particular violation of the CWA may vary depending on the circumstances of the case. It's always best to consult with a lawyer or the relevant government agency for specific information on the statute of limitations for a particular CWA violation.