Celebrating 40 Years of Clean Water Protections
Stacey Detwiler, Associate, Conservation & Government Relations
October 18, 2012 | Water Pollution
Happy 40th Birthday, Clean Water Act!
Deer Creek, CA | Leon Turnbull
Forty years ago, one of our fundamental laws safeguarding our health and the health of our environment was passed into law with bipartisan support.
The Clean Water Act revolutionized the way we thought about water pollution — making discharges into waters illegal unless authorized by a permit to control pollution and establishing water quality standards to protect swimming, drinking and fishing.
Since it was enacted in 1972, we've made great strides in cleaning up our rivers, lakes, beaches, and streams. Although we still have a long way to go, today we’re celebrating clean water and the clean rivers that we love.
Tell us: Why do you love clean rivers? Share your story with us here. Or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
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The #CleanWaterAct was groundbreaking legislation in 1972. It turns 40 today. http://bit.ly/SY7tg8
Celebrate 40 years of #CleanWater thanks to the #CleanWaterAct! http://bit.ly/SY7tg8
Today in 1972 Congress set a national goal to eliminate all water pollution & passed the #CleanWaterAct with bipartisan support!
RT if you like to #SwimDrinkFish. Thank you #CleanWaterAct!
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Comment Policy: Our goal is to provide a forum for sharing and interacting with others about issues that are affecting our rivers and our clean water. All comments offered in the spirit of civil conversation are welcome! Commercial spam, obscenity and other rude behavior are not, and will be removed.
Comments List
Submitted by anne veraldi at: October 25, 2012
Clean water
Submitted by Stefan Kozinski at: October 23, 2012
Water is the uncompromisable basis of all life on earth. In its natural state, earth is 70+ per cent water. How can any form of life, including any of us humans, survive without clean water? It is a worldwide birthright.
Submitted by Kirby Hallenbeck at: October 20, 2012
I lived in Cleveland, where the Cuyahoga River caught fire 13 times and was devoid of fish. Someone also demonstrated the Lake Erie water could be used to develop black and white film. I live out west now and have enjoyed being a raft guide on clean rivers teaming with life. What a difference. Rivers are major corridors of life and should not be used as sewers. The clean up costs far exceed whatever financial gain was derived from not treating waste water. A false economy.
Submitted by Michael W. at: October 19, 2012
Our city has just approved white water rafting,, I can't imagine seeing more waste now !
Submitted by Francis Scheuer at: October 19, 2012
As a youngster I grew up in Michigan. We had water on all 3 sides. The Detroit River and Lake St. Clair were my playgrounds as were many smaller lakes with in the state. It was so much fun as a child to race out into the water ~ splashing and diving into that OTHER WORLD. It is imperative that we make certain that we preserve that 'early splash' for all children.
Submitted by Round the World Animals at: October 19, 2012
Our goal is to provide a forum for sharing and interacting with others about issues that are affecting our rivers and our clean water. All comments offered in the spirit of civil conversation are welcome! Commercial spam, obscenity and other rude behavior are not, and will be removed.
Submitted by Corey Weibel at: October 19, 2012
You have a long way to go. Thank you for your efforts so far. Keep it up and keep fighting environmental violators, especially those with deep pockets. Every living thing needs clean water to survive. Including the money that comes from trees.
Submitted by Nancy Gates at: October 19, 2012
Happy Anniversary!
Submitted by Jeff H at: October 19, 2012
Water is precious to us all and is increasingly subject to pollution. Conservation is also key to a continued supply now and in the future. We all need to make efforts to protect our water.
Submitted by Esperanza Martinez at: October 19, 2012
happy birthday.
Submitted by c soragha at: October 19, 2012
Please keep the Clean Water Act STRONG to protect our Children, Communities and Country! Thank you.
Submitted by Dianora Niccolini at: October 18, 2012
Polluters and their allies in Congress continue to try to undermine the Clean Water Act’s protections that safeguard our health and the health of our rivers.
Submitted by Elizabeth Schlein at: October 18, 2012
We need clean water to drink, to swim.
Submitted by Robert Brown at: October 18, 2012
I like clean water.
Submitted by Marty at: October 18, 2012
Rivers go somewhere, they suggest adventure, destination as well as meandering and daydreaming. Healthy rivers team with life above and below the surface. Hooray for clean rivers!
Submitted by jake wolfhart at: October 18, 2012
free all rivers
Submitted by John and Martha Stoltenberg at: October 18, 2012
Stop and reverse the rise of fascism in America! Stop and reverse the rise of the American fascist military/police state!
Submitted by Mr. Harold F. Leahy at: October 18, 2012
Clean water is a universal human right. Keep the fight going.
Submitted by Pete Braun at: October 18, 2012
With as many uses as we have for water, it is VITAL that we keep our water clean.
Submitted by Javier Rivera-Diaz at: October 18, 2012
Happy Birthday Clean Water act, more then happy your around as water is the most important thing for us and the water we consume needs to be clean. So thank you for doing all you can for keep us safe and healthy.