Many laws have been created to restrict industries from dumping materials into the water.  However, many laws remain weak, and many countries do not restrict water pollution.

In the United States, the Clean Water Act was written to completely put an end to all dumping of pollutants into water.  The law has not been that effective in many areas, but in other locations, it has achieved its goals.

Since the Clean Water Act, other legislation has been enacted as well.  Now, eleven different federal government agencies and 21 federal government programs all monitor the quality of water and regulate pollution.

The world has spent tremendous sums of money trying to clean up water.  From 1972-1990, the US spent over $250 billion. 

Many non-governmental projects are also being carry out in an effort to clean up the water.  Industries are beginning to reduce the amount of chemicals they dump into water, and environmental groups are participating in cleanup projects.

The plastics industry, blamed for some of the worst pollution of the water, is making its products degradable.  However, many environmentalists think this is hardly enough.

Public reaction to the water pollution problem has also been influential.  Governments have responded when public anger has risen, such as after the Exxon Valdez accident.