After decades of water neglect, Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972 and Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974, and strengthened them in later years. A response to strong public pressure for water cleanup, these laws provide a national framework for the protection of our health, recreation and economy from water pollution.
The laws have worked. The number of grossly polluted streams and lakes in America, and the number of health violations of drinking water standards, has declined.
Yet more threats have emerged. New contaminants not recognized in the 1970s could be putting our health at risk. Curbing global warming is essential for protecting our water resources.
And national policies that undermine the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act threaten to reduce critical protections.
Take Action
Pass the Clean Water Restoration Act
For the first time since the bill was initially introduced four years ago, hearings have happened and movement of the bill is likely. This bill would rollback polluters' attempts to weaken protection for our nation's lakes, rivers and streams. But first we must overcome a strong lobbying campaign by polluting interests.
Your U.S. Senators and Representative need to hear from you that their support for protecting all of our nation's water bodies is critical.
Drinking Water for over 110 million Americans is at risk. 20 million acres of wetlands are in jeopardy.
The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 to protect all the nation's waters. However, the Bush Administration, at the urging of special interests, has interpreted the law to apply only to some bodies of water. This is not what the law intended or what the American people want.
Many waters are at risk. Some of these waters and wetlands are homes for birds, fish and waterfowl, filter pollutants and/or reduce flooding. Now is no time to abandon three decades of progress restoring and protecting America's waters.
The bi-partisan Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R. 2421) is closer than ever to passing in the House. This legislation restates and clarifies the original intent of the Clean Water Act -- to protect all waters of the United States.
Take Action: Tell your Representative to support the Clean Water Restoration Act!
Sign a petition to support the Clean Water Restoration Act.
You can do both of these things at the Clean Water Action website: http://cleanwateraction.org/issues/water/
