The Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments were passed in 1972. The amendments known as the Clean Water Act were passed in 1977.
This is the episode submitted to the Emmy Awards for both Allison Janney (as Lead Actress in a Drama Series--following two Emmy wins in the Supporting Actress category) and Mary Louise Parker (in the Guest Actress/Drama Series category). Janney won that year and Parker earned a nomination.
Mary-Louise Parker appears for the first time as Amy Gardner, but this isn't the first time she and Bradley Whitford appear on the screen together. They both played in the movie The Client (1994).
Qumar is not a real country.