It's an open secret now that the Clean Water Act of 1972, a paragon of anti-water pollution legislation, is failing our country.
Recent investigations into our water supply have found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, estrogen-mimicking chemicals like bisphenol A, and a litany of potentially toxic pollutants (including cigarette butts) flying beneath the regulatory radar at unknown health risk to wildlife and the American people.
And now this. It's a recent study by the New York Times showing the alarming frequency with which municipal sewer systems are overwhelmed by waste and storm water. When the rains come and treatment plants fill up, vast amounts of raw sewage flow into local waterways around the country (including New York City, Los Angeles, and several other major cities) -- the same rivers and lakes we swim in, and drink from.
You might want to make sure you're not eating anything if you follow the link to the story.
It should be said that all of the blame does not fall at the feet of a single law -- the Environmental Protection Agency is charged with enforcing the Clean Water Act, and, according to the study, it often neglects to do so for a variety of reasons.
One of them is cost. According to the Government Accountability Office, a full-scale renovation of the nation's sewer systems would carry a $400 billion price tag. That's only about half of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the stimulus bill), but still, youch.
Regardless, we have a big problem on our hands. For the most part, Americans are used to having access to clean water, but it may soon become more of a luxury than we think if we don't straighten things out soon.
Image: Flickr
COMMENTS (0)