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HR 1126 109th Congress House

Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2005

Official title: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit a publicly owned treatment works from diverting flows to bypass any portion of its treatment facility.

Introduced: April 5, 2005 See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative procedureData banksElectronic government informationEnvironmental Protection Agency
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Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityInternetLawLicensesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSewage disposalSewage treatmentWaste disposal in rivers, lakes, etc.Waste water treatmentWater pollution control
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 4, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Mar 3, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mar 3, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 4, 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) from intentionally diverting waste streams to bypass any portion of the treatment facility unless: (1) the bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; (2) there is no feasible alternative; and (3) the treatment works provides notice of the bypass in accordance with this Act; or (4) the bypass does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded and is for essential maintenance.

Requires POTWs to provide the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (or the State if the State has an approved permit program) with: (1) prior notice of an anticipated bypass; and (2) notice of an unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of becoming aware of such bypass as well as follow-up notice.

Directs the Administrator to establish procedures to ensure that permits issued to POTWs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System include requirements to implement this Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1126: Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1126/
MLA
"H.R. 1126: Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1126/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1126, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1126/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1126: Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1126/)
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