Notes

In 1998 A water quality report was sent to Congress describing the issues facing our rivers and lakes. The National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress (linked to: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/cwa/305b/98report_index.cfm)describes the purpose of the Clean Water Act. The goals of the Clean Water Act are to achieve and maintain water quality that provides for healthy communities of fish and shellfish and that allows for recreation in and on the water. States were charged with the responsibility of monitoring and controlling the pollutants found in their waters.

Of the rivers that were tested the ratio of the waters found to be good 55% and good, but threatened 10% and finally impaired 35%. Only a small portion of the rivers in the US were surveyed; of those, nearly half are threatened or impaired. The top 4 pollutants found in the surveyed rivers were siltation, Pathogens (Bacteria), Nutrients and other Oxygen-Depleting Substances.

The top 6 leading sources of these pollutants:

Agriculture

Hydro modification

Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers

Municipal Point Sources

Resource Extraction

Forestry

By far, Agriculture is the leading source of pollutants found in the surveyed rivers. You may find this surprising. The 1997 Census of Agriculture reported that 41% of the continental United States, about 900 million acres, is used for agricultural production. Chemicals and fertilizers are needed to protect crops and provide the nutrients plants need. Without these chemicals our food supplies would be limited and prices would be much higher.