photo by Daniel Lobo / CC BY 2.0

Tell the EPA to keep stormwater out of DC's rivers!

What is the greatest threat polluting the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers? The answer may surprise you. It is not industrial waste or piles of trash.

It's stormwater runoff.

Unfortunately, this problem often goes unnoticed for the simple fact that we can't see it. During rain storms (or when our recent dumping of snow melts) water rushes off all of our paved surfaces taking all of the untreated oil, sediment, trash and other pollutants into our sewer system which empty directly into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers.

Unlike the pollution that can more easily be controlled from a single source (waste discharged from an industrial building or construction site) stormwater management is more difficult to control and thus requires a comprehensive solution.

The problem in the District is that two-thirds of the existing pipe system combines sewage waste with rain water in the same pipe. When there is a heavy rainstorm these pipes are maxed out and what results is combined sewer overflow (CSO) or more simply, raw sewage and waste overflow untreated directly into the Anacostia River. Take action now: Ask EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to issue the strongest permit possible for DC.

Take Action: Tell your elected leaders that stormwater needs to be managed!

photo by Thirteen Of Clubs

One of the greatest threats to the quality of our drinking water and health of the Chesapeake Bay is stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff carries untreated debris, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants into our waterways. Unlike pollution that can be controlled at a single source, stormwater management requires a comprehensive solution.

Fortunately, new water management practices can reduce and even eliminate stormwater pollution, though these practices have associated costs. According to local governments, the backlog of  "green infrastructure" repairs caused by stormwater runoff exceeds $20 billion statewide. Stormwater-related damage to Maryland's waterways can only be reversed by establishing a dedicated funding source for this purpose. The Watershed Protection & Restoration act will do this. Take Action Now: Tell your elected leaders that stormwater needs to be managed.

President Obama was right to emphasize the job creation potential and economic stakes for America's leadership on global warming solutions in his State of the Union address this week.

Strategic use of federal stimulus monies is one of the best ways to jump-start the nation's transition to a clean energy economy. Planned investments in high speed rail, new energy efficiency technologies, clean energy start-ups and entrepreneurs can deliver the right combination of near term and longer range benefits.

By re-asserting the imperative for U.S. action and leadership on global warming, the President signaled the urgency and importance of Senate action to complete work on comprehensive energy and global warming legislation begun by the House.

Clean Water Action is an organization of 1.2 million members working to empower people to take action to protect America's waters, build healthy communities and to make democracy work for all of us. For 36 years Clean Water Action has succeeded in winning some of the nation's most important environmental protections through grassroots organizing, expert policy research and political advocacy focused on holding elected officials accountable to the public.

Clean Water Action is looking for enthusiastic students or recent graduates who are willing to work hard advancing the goals of Clean Water Action in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the Anacostia River, engaging communities and building grassroots support.

Act Now To Fund Jobs That Save Lives

Legislation to create jobs is moving forward in Congress, and environmental health advocates have a great opportunity to significantly increase the funding to reduce diesel emissions. The request for $1 billion would potentially save or generate 19,000 jobs and increase economic output by over $3 billion.

It is a great opportunity to protect public health, curb greenhouse gases and otherwise protect the environment while putting Americans to work and boosting the economy. Please contact your House representative and two Senators to urge them to support $1 billion in the jobs package to reduce diesel emissions today. 

January 11, 2010

The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

We are writing as a broad-based group of environmental, health and industry organizations to urge you to include $1 billion for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 ("DERA") in the anticipated jobs package.

Published On: 

01/11/2010 - 10:57

Presented by Clean Water Fund

Learn how Loudoun County residents can

• Save Money
• Protect Safe, Affordable Drinking Water
• Conserve Virginia’s Natural Resources

using 21st century approaches to water management.

We have never had a better chance of fixing the Clean Water Act and delivering results on the Clean Water issues that matter the most. Help us seize the moment and change the course of our nation's clean water future.

By continuing your support with a generous year-end gift, you are helping to advance Clean Water Action's vision for water protection in the 21st Century that will be realized by:

On November 3, vote for a Sustainable Virginia

Clean Water Action endorses candidates who

• fight for legislation to protect all streams, large and small, from pollution and degradation;
• work to protect streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
• support preserving open space in Northern Virginia to combat sprawl, protecting the quality of the water we drink and holding down water treatment costs.
• support the development of clean sources of energy like wind and solar and aggressive fuel efficiency standards to save Virginia residents money while addressing the climate change crisis.

Vote for a Healthy Environment in November!

Clean Water Action has endorsed 10 candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates in the November 3rd general election. The endorsed candidates include 5 incumbents, 3 who are challenging incumbents, and 2 seeking open seats. "All of our endorsed candidates have demonstrated leadership for a clean and healthy environment and are clearly superior to their opponents on our issues," said Andrew Fellows, Chesapeake Regional Director of Clean Water Action.