has taken place. Transboundary pollution is addressed through international environmental agreements that may be in the form of bi-lateral, tri-lateral, or multilateral treaties. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) was passed by Congress in order to prevent dumping from occurring in marine environments. The main purpose of this bill is to prevent ships and vehicles from and coming to the United States from dumping hazardous materials in U.S territories. It also prohibits toxic material from leaving the United States with the purpose of being dumped and polluting international waters. Permitting, data collection, and access Permitting The permission to discharge pollutants into surface water under specific conditions. For example, several approaches are used in the United States. The Clean Water Act requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop effluent guidelines—national industry-specific effluent limitations based on the performance of existing control technologies. These limits set a basic national discharge standard for an industrial category, typically using a "best available technology economically achievable" (BAT) standard for existing facilities, and a "best available demonstrated control technology" standard for new facilities. EPA has also published technology-based standards for publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plants). If the standard for a particular industrial or municipal facility is not sufficiently protective of the receiving water body, then water quality standards may be employed to develop more stringent limitations for the facility. The industrial and municipal standards are implemented in discharge permits issued by state agencies and EPA, under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). All point sources of pollution obtain permits prior to discharge. Nonpoint sources are not subject to the permit program. Data Collection Access Around the world International law There are two major nongovernmental organizations that have made monumental advancements in improving the quality of water internationally. The International Law Association (ILA) and the Institute of International Law (IIL) worked with the United Nations to develop the Helsinki and Berlin Rules . Marine and ship pollution are serious threats to the world's oceans. The International Maritime Organization developed regulations governing maritime pollution MARPOL 73/78 from ships. The World Health Organization provides a global overview of water quality, areas of risk, recommendations for future Guidelines for DrinkingWater Quality (GDWQ). Canada Water Governance United Kingdom United States The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution, and is administered by EPA and state