What legislation was passed in California to address water quality issues in 1969?

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was passed in 1969 as a landmark piece of legislation aimed at ensuring that state and local agencies consider the environment before taking on major projects or developments. CEQA was designed to improve water quality, protect natural resources, and promote sustainable growth in response to increasing concerns about environmental degradation, including issues related to water pollution.

This act requires public agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, which often leads them to address water quality specifically as part of their broader environmental assessments. CEQA emphasizes transparency and public participation, enabling communities to voice concerns over potential harm to water resources and other environmental factors.

Other legislative efforts related to water quality were established later or focused more specifically on drinking water standards rather than the broader environmental impact assessment that CEQA encompasses.