The water we see on the surface of the earth is surface
water. Groundwater is water stored between rocks, soil, and sediments under the
ground. It slowly flows through aquifers and connects with rivers, streams,
lakes, and wetlands. It feeds trees and vegetation.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 is the federal law created
to better control water pollution, meet safety standard for recreation,
maintain integrity of water, for industrial and surface water in the United
States. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to implement
pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards.
Thousands die every day in countries that do not have
clean water law. They consume bacteria and parasites by drinking and using
unfiltered and undisinfected water from ground and surfaces. The Clean Water
Act is important in public health because it controls for safe and healthy
water we use by enforcing policies that we as individuals and industries need
to comply for water waste discharges. Although this is a very expensive federal
law that costs businesses and citizens, I truly believe that it is our basic
human responsibility to uphold this act. Regulating pollutants in the water the
we drink and clean ourselves with needs to be free of harm and diseases so we
can function and enjoy life fully.
Hi Ira,
ReplyDeleteI think the cost of not following the Clean Water Act needs to be considered as well. According to U.S. News the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cost $20 billion in damages. Not to mention the cost to tourism and the fishing industry. While it may seem that the cost of the Act is expensive, the cost of not having it is even higher.
Hi Ira,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The clean water act is something put in place because we NEED a clean water supply. We use and drink water everyday of our lives, so naturally it should be one of the most pure and uncontaminated substances.