The group found that 93% Iowa’s river and stream miles were impaired for swimming or recreation. This is the fourth highest number in the country. EIP also reported that 83% are impaired in Iowa lakes.
The report stated that “the true extent of the nation’s water pollution is not known because few states monitor all their waters.”
“Limited funding and budget cuts mean that many state agencies are unable to test all waters within the time frames required — usually between six to ten years, depending upon state rules. Missouri and Arkansas, for example, only 5% of their stream and river miles were assessed in their most recent period.
The Clean Water Act was “should be credited for substantial improvements in the nation’s watersways”, but it has in many areas failed to meet the criteria. According to the EIP the extent of the U.S. water pollution problem is unknown.
According to the report, 73% of stream miles and 73% of rivers were not assessed in the most recent cycle. The same applies for 49% of lakes acres and 24% of bays.
The group also pointed out that EPA had not been enforcing the CWA properly.
The report stated that EPA had failed to fulfill its federal Clean Water Act obligation to review and update technology-based limits on water pollution control systems used in industries.
“By 2022 two-thirds EPA’s industry-specific water quality standards had not changed in more than 30 years, despite the law’s requirement that they be updated every five year to keep up with new treatment technologies. These outdated standards result in more pollution from oil refineries, chemical factories, and other industries entering waterways than if they were updated on time.
EIP also stated that the EPA and state agencies have been subject to budget cuts, making it difficult for them to meet all the Clean Water Act requirements.
The report stated that “a number of obstacles accountfor the shortfall in meeting goals of the Clean Water Act,” including limitations in law.
“The act includes enforceable regulatory control for pollution piped directly to waterways from factories or sewage plants, but weak or nonexistent controls to runoff from farmland or other ‘nonpoint’ sources of pollution that pose a major threat for water quality.
“The result: Nearly forty years after the Clean Water Act’s deadline, ‘fishable, swimmable’ waters must be available in all U.S. rivers and streams, half of these miles — more that 700,000 miles of waterways – remain polluted.
The group offers several “potential solutions” for improving the nation’s water quality. The report recommends that EPA implement the Clean Water Act’s requirement for frequent updates of technology-based limits on industry water pollution control systems. This includes removing agricultural exemptions and tightening TMDL enforcement.
The report stated that Congress or the EPA should impose more consistent, uniform guidelines for waterway impairment for all 50 states and for gauging unhealthy levels key pollutants like nitrogen.
“The incoherent mix of state methods for monitoring, appraising and inspecting waterways contributes towards ineffective funding distribution and cleanup efforts.”
The group also stated that, since states will receive “billions” of dollars from Congress’ recent infrastructure bill passage, “governors should, whenever possible, target funding for water pollution control efforts, particularly in low-income communities of color who have long suffered from pollution.”
The report also calls on Congress to increase funding for the EPA, states environmental agencies staff, and to “develop an and implement the cleanup programs needed to bring back impaired waterways to life.”
Todd Neeley can reached at [email protected]
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