More than a third of nation's waterways remain polluted
Fair Use Statement
MORE THAN A THIRD OF NATION'S WATERWAYS REMAIN POLLUTED
FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2000
In a l998 assessment of the nation's waterways, EPA said today that the new data show that 40 percent of
the nation's assessed waterways remain too polluted for fishing and swimming. The 40 percent figure is generally
consistent with findings of the last decade. Runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas remains the primary
source of the leading pollutants: siltation, bacteria, the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, and metals.
EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, J. Charles Fox, said, "It's paramount that we clean up the
nation's remaining water pollution. Millions of Americans spend billions of dollars every year at their favorite
waterways. Although most of our waterways are cleaner because of controls on direct discharges, the remaining
polluted waters will only be cleaned up by addressing polluted runoff -- a mix of contaminants that can include
chemicals, metals, fertilizers and oily wastes.
"This summer, we will release a new program to help states address polluted runoff, so that we can once
and for all restore the nation's waterways," said Fox. "American families deserve safer water."
The l998 figures reflect the states' assessment of a third of the nation's waterways. Among the states'
findings, over 290,000 miles of 840,000 miles of assessed rivers and streams do not meet water quality standards.
States also assessed nearly half of all lakes, reservoirs and ponds, finding nearly half polluted. Of the Great
Lakes, 90 percent of their shoreline miles were assessed; of those, 96 percent of the shoreline miles indicated
pollution exceeding water quality standards to protect human health. Although threats remain, states found that
ground water quality generally remains good and can support many different uses.
Additional information, including a fact sheet and the full report, the "National Water Quality Inventory:
1998 Report to Congress," is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ow, under "What's New," (Note that the direct url is http://www.epa.gov/305b/98report/index.html) or by calling EPA's National
Service Center for Environmental Publications at 1-800-490-9198 (publication #EPA841-R-00-001) (Note that you should also be able to order this report on line at http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/orderpub.html).
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