Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, regional impacts: Houston Ship Channel - Galveston Bay. Vol. 1.

The environmental, social, economic and institutional impacts of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (PL 92-500) on the Houston Ship Channel/Galveston Bay are reviewed. The study area includes Harris, Galveston, Chambers and parts of Brazoria counties. Three levels of abatement, BPT (best practicable control technology), BAT (best available technology) and EOD (elimination of the discharge of pollutants are reviewed). Growth in population, number of households, number of jobs and available labor force will be enhanced by the 1977 (BPT) and the 1983 (BAT) standards of the law. Authors suggest withdrawal of the 1985 EOD goal in light of its high cost and marginal effect on the social, ecological and economic fabric of the study area.