Review of Iowa's water quality situation has both "good news" and "bad news" components. The "good news" is that since passage of the 1972 federal Clean Water Act, commendable progress has been made in reducing the discharge of municipal and industrial waste pollutants into Iowa's waters. The progress made in reducing pollution from these point sources is attributable to a number of factors, including the enactment of effective laws and regulations, development and implementation of improved waste management practices, and voluntary and enforced compliance.