Clean Water News

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2007                               

Contact: Kristin Elia, (848) 228-1846

On the Clean Water Act’s 35^th Anniversary,

Polluters Continue to Contaminate Maine’s Waterways

Bangor, ME— More than 80% of industrial and municipal facilities across Maine discharged more pollution into our waterways than their Clean Water Act permits allow in 2005, according to Troubled Waters: An analysis of Clean Water Act compliance, a new report released today by Environment Maine.

“As the Clean Water Act turns 35, polluters continue to foul our rivers, lakes and streams,” said Kristin Elia, Environment Maine’s Federal Field Associate.  “With so many facilities dumping so much pollution, no one should be surprised that nearly half of America’s waterways are unsafe for swimming and fishing.  But we should be outraged.”   

The goals of the 1972 Clean Water Act are to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into waterways and make all U.S. waterways swimmable and fishable.  Over the last three and a half decades, this landmark environmental law has made significant improvements in water quality, but the original goals have yet to be met. 

Using the Freedom of Information Act, Environment Maine obtained data on facilities’ compliance with the Clean Water Act between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005.  Environment Maine researchers found that:

­Fifty seven percent of all major U.S. industrial and municipal facilities discharged more pollution into U.S. waterways than allowed by law at least once during 2005. The average facility exceeded its pollution permit limit by 263 percent, discharging close to four times the legal limit.

• More than 80% of Maine’s industrial and municipal facilities exceeded their Clean Water Act permits at least once in 2005. Maine was ranked number one in this analysis.

• 71 facilities in Maine reported more than 550 exceedances of their Clean Water Act permits in 2005.

• On average, facilities exceeding their permits did so by 162% or more than 2.5 times the legal limit.  

Elia noted that the findings are likely just the tip of the polluted iceberg, since the data that Environment Maine analyzed includes only “major” facilities and does not include pollution discharged into waters by the thousands of minor facilities across the country. 

With that in mind, the public health impacts of such excess pollution should be of large concern. “Looking down the list of pollutants you see mercury and lead which are known to cause major health problems, including birth defects, brain damage, and learning disabilities,” said Adam Goode of the Maine People’s Alliance. “There are clear reasons for concern regarding the amount and type of pollution being put into our waterways.”

Over the last six years, the Bush administration has proposed or enacted numerous policies that weaken the Clean Water Act.  These include: two separate policies that eliminate Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands that feed and clean treasured lakes, rivers and bays; funding cuts to EPA’s budget, including significant cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund; and policies that allow more sewage pollution into waterways.

However, the state of Maine has made significant steps towards reducing excess pollution in our waterways. On June 12, voters approved an $18.3 million bond for improving water quality and wastewater infrastructure. “We applaud the Legislature, Governor Baldacci, and the citizens of Maine for their work to clean up our waterways, said Elia. “But the federal government must support the state by tightening enforcements on protection and increasing funding.”

Environment Maine called on the Bush administration to end its efforts to weaken federal clean water safeguards and for Congress to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act, legislation to ensure all U.S. waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act.

Environment Maine urged Representative Michaud to mark the anniversary of the Clean Water Act by joining the 172 cosponsors of the Clean Water Restoration Act.

“Instead of holding polluters accountable, the Bush administration is allowing more – not less – pollution to enter our waterways.  Now more than ever, Congress should step in to protect all of America’s waters,” concluded Elia.

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Environment Maine is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for Maine's environment. Environment Maine draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state's top environmental problems. For more information visit: www.environmentmaine.org.

Maine People’s Alliance brings individuals and organizations together to realized shared goals. MPA focuses on leadership development to increase the number of citizen leaders prepared to work for social change. MPA is dedicated to advancing economic, environmental, political, and social issues by promoting the common interest and exercising shared power in the pursuit of collective goals. For more information visit: www.mainepeoplesalliance.org.

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