"The Clean Water Act was intended to end dangerous water pollution by regulating every major polluter. But today, regulators may be unable to prosecute as many as half of the nation’s largest known polluters because officials lack jurisdiction or because proving jurisdiction would be overwhelmingly difficult or time consuming..."
"...Companies that have spilled oil, carcinogens and dangerous bacteria into lakes, rivers and other waters are not being prosecuted, according to Environmental Protection Agency regulators working on those cases, who estimate that more than 1,500 major pollution investigations have been discontinued or shelved in the last four years..."
"...The Supreme Court rulings causing these problems focused on language in the Clean Water Act that limited it to “the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters” of the United States. For decades, “navigable waters” was broadly interpreted by regulators to include many large wetlands and streams that connected to major rivers..."
New York Times
Here in the US for the last thirty years, there has been a battle waging over water quality. The public wants and needs good clean water, which should come as a surprise to no one.
Industry considers water an expendable resource in the quest for profits. Apparently government agrees, as is evident from recent rulings from the Supreme Court.
When the pollution of our water systems reaches critical mass (and some say that has already happened), all will suffer and tax payers will be called upon to "bail-out" big business once again.
The Clean Water Act was intended to force accountability on industry for the degradation of our environment.
Why should polluting industries be allowed to sacrifice water quality for profits?
Because millions are spent on lobbyists to insure that industry has free reign with our water. Now the supreme court of the land is on the take too.
This story courtesy of Charles Duhigg of the New York Times. Mr. Duhigg has written a series of articles on the degradation of our water systems.
How's this one: Debating How Much Weed Killer Is Safe in Your Water Glass?
DoryMan says:
"None".
(thanks for keeping us honest, bonnie!)
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