Public health

One-Third of Americans’ Drinking Water May Be Deregulated by EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency is poised to dismantle the federal clean water rule, which protects waterways that provide drinking water for about a third of the US population.

photo: fizkes/Getty Images | This story was originally published by The Guardian and was reproduced by Mother Jones (link below) as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

Editor’s note: we made a web page where you can compare the Twitter posts of the @EPA and @altUSEPA.

The EPA, with the US Army, has proposed scrapping the rule in order to conduct a “substantive re-evaluation” of which rivers, streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water should be protected by the federal government. “We are taking significant action to return power to the states and provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers and businesses,” said Scott Pruitt, administrator of the EPA.

Pruitt said the EPA would swiftly redefine clean water regulations in a “thoughtful, transparent and collaborative” way with other agencies and the public. Green groups, however, said the move pandered to fossil fuel and farming interests and was part of an agenda to weaken clean water protections. “Once again, the Trump administration has agreed to do the bidding of the worst polluters in our country, and once again it’s putting the health of American families and communities at risk.” “Once again, the Trump administration has agreed […]

Recent Posts

Hawaiʻi’s Corals Were Struggling To Survive. Then Came The Mud Floods

Coral reefs already face a litany of threats. Experts say storm runoff from the recent…

3 months ago

What’s Eating Iowa?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xqa0B9r7Y8 Iowa water: Pulitzer Prize winner Art Cullen and award-winning cinematographer Jerry Risius have teamed…

7 months ago

Invisible Threats: Understanding Water Contaminants in the U.S.

Clean water is essential for life, yet millions of Americans unknowingly consume contaminants through their…

1 year ago

High levels of microplastics in human brains appear to be increasing

Human brains contain higher concentrations of microplastics than other organs, according to a new study, and the…

1 year ago

California: executive order to help capture and store more water from severe storms

From the Office of the Governor: In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California,…

1 year ago

Experts give the real facts on California water

From Governor Newsom: Scientists, water managers, state leaders, and experts throughout the state are calling…

1 year ago