Rivers & lakes
Our country’s lakes, rivers and streams give life to ecosystems and people alike from coast to coast. Now it’s time we protect them as the life-giving resources they are.
Featured Resources
Safe for swimming?
A Path to Cleaner Water
Florida’s Waterways are at Risk
The Latest
Groups urge EPA and Army Corps to restore nation’s clean water protections
Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Clean Water Network delivered support from nearly 100 groups Monday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers urging federal policymakers to officiallyrescind the Trump administration's Navigable Waters Protection Rule (also known as the ‘Dirty Water Rule’) and restore protections for our nation’s waterways. In addition, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Environmental Action submitted 18,316 comments from their individual members on this issue.
Thousands urge EPA to protect waterways from pollution
Nearly 30,000 people are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to end the dumping of PFAS chemicals, and thousands more are telling the agency to dramatically reduce pollution from slaughterhouses. Environment America Research & Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund submitted comments from these individuals to the EPA Thursday as the agency considers updating pollution control standards, which is required by the Clean Water Act. The groups are also calling on the EPA to strengthen standards for other industrial sources -- including power plants and refineries.
Pathogens pose risk at 185 of Florida beaches
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – With Floridians returning to local beaches this summer, a new report warns that more work is needed to ensure that all waters are safe for swimming. In 2020, 185 Florida beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, according to Safe for Swimming? -- Environment Florida Research and Policy Center’s annual analysis of bacteria testing.
New report shows how Florida’s waterways are at risk
The Trump administration’s environmental policies are putting Tampa’s waters at risk from potential sewage spills, paved-over wetlands and expanded drilling, according to Florida’s Waterways are at Risk, a new fact sheet by Environment Florida Research and Policy Center.
Clean Water Rule’s repeal opens Florida’s waterways to increased pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed the Clean Water Rule today, revoking the landmark 2015 environmental protections. The Clean Water Rule reestablished protections to drinking water sources on which 1,808,955 Floridians rely. The rule had the backing of more than 1,000 scientific studies, and was supported by comments from more than 31,000 Floridians.