What type of pollution control device must be installed in a factory built after the Clean Water Act?

The establishment of the Clean Water Act aimed to regulate the discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and to establish quality standards for those waters. Industries that are built or significantly modified after the enactment of this law are required to implement Best Available Control Technology (BACT) as part of their operations.

BACT refers to the most effective level of technology that has been demonstrated to be feasible for controlling emissions of pollutants. In the context of factories, this means they need to adopt the best technology available to minimize water pollution, ensuring that their operations do not negatively affect the water bodies nearby. This approach reflects the law’s emphasis on employing advanced methods for pollution reduction and environmental protection.

Other options relate to different contexts: RACT (Reasonably Available Control Technology) is associated with the control of air pollutants in existing facilities, while MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) applies primarily to hazardous air pollutants for existing sources. Therefore, for a factory built after the Clean Water Act, BACT is specifically required to ensure compliance with water quality standards and to promote the use of the most advanced and effective pollution control technology.