Today the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued joint announcements related to fluoride in drinking water.

EPA made two new scientific documents available to the public and announced that it will evaluate the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the enforceable federal drinking water standard- for fluoride. The two new documents present scientific analysis of new data on negative health impacts of excess fluoride and on the sources of fluoride exposure in the U.S. population. This analysis was completed as a result of EPA's regular review of drinking water standards and in response to a National Academy of Sciences report that EPA requested as part of this process. The evaluation could result in reduction of the current federal standard of 4 milligrams per liter (or mg/L or parts per million) for fluoride in drinking water.

Clean Water Action Statement on Phosphate Detergents and Water

Washington, DC - On July 1, 2010 a voluntary ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergents will be implemented by many members of the American Cleaning Council (formerly the Soap and Detergent Association), a manufacturer's trade group representing most detergent companies.

"Industry's announcement on phosphates in dishwasher detergents is welcome news, indeed, if somewhat overdue," said Jonathan Scott, a spokesman for Clean Water Action, founded in the early 1970's to fight for clean, safe water. "Even small amounts of phosphates can wreak havoc when they get into our water," Scott says, "so it's the last thing you want as an ingredient in detergents, which are specifically designed to end up in the water by way of household appliances and drain pipes."

"Good news is all too scarce these days, when it comes to our water. Between the BP Gulf oil disaster, and a host of other problems, it is clear that the nation's commitment to clean and safe water has faltered.

Washington, DC - Clean Water Action's President and CEO responded to the release of U.S. Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman's draft American Power Act with the following statement:

"Legislation unveiled today by Sens. Kerry and Lieberman offers an encouraging path forward on the twin challenges of reducing climate-changing pollution and regaining a leadership role for the U.S. in creating the clean energy economy that will drive the global economy of the future.

America needs the jobs and other economic benefits that can flow from the right strategy for reducing energy pollution, developing cleaner, more efficient technologies, and reducing the nation's damaging over-reliance on oil and other fuels of the past.

Clean Water Action Statement on Offshore Drilling

Washington DC - The Administration's new focus on offshore oil drilling diverts resources and attention from other energy strategies which offer far greater promise for creating jobs and building the new clean energy economy the American people are demanding.

"Offshore drilling is another false solution to the nation's current energy woes," said Clean Water Action President, John DeCock. "Drilling now, and in these unique and special places, will do nothing to relieve the burden of high prices at the pump that we're all struggling with," said DeCock. He noted that decreases in demand are what brought prices down from record highs in 2008 and cited the long lead times of a decade or more between initial exploration and when new supplies might eventually reach the market

Given the ever-present potential for environmental catastrophe from even a single offshore spill and the huge economic benefit already being realized all along American coastlines free from polluting spills, this policy represents a step in the wrong direction.

Calls on Americans To Defend and Strengthen Environmental and Health Statues

Washington, DC -- Joining voices with water advocates from around the globe, Clean Water Action called today for a renewed campaign to defend the environmental and public health laws that have improved water quality in the United States since 1972.  "When Clean Water Action fought to pass the original Clean Water Act in the 70's" said President John DeCock "we knew that this law would have enormous public health and environmental benefit.   I think it's safe to say that the success of the Clean Water Act in saving lives, preventing disease, ensuring safe drinking water and protecting habitat, has exceeded all expectations.  It is arguably the most successful piece of environmental legislation in our nation's history."

However, the Clean Water Act remains at risk because of administrative rule-making and two badly rendered Supreme Court decisions that occurred during the Bush Administration.   Agribusiness conglomerates and developers are taking advantage of the ambiguity introduced into the law by these actions to violate the letter and spirit of the Clean Water Act free from enforcement penalties.

Clean Water Action calls upon Congress to fix this by passing comprehensive legislation during this session of Congress to restore the full integrity to the law.  The environment and public health communities call for the introduction of a companion piece of legislation in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee so that these essential protections can be restored.

"The Clean Water Act was settled law for over three decades and rule-making over that period carved out reasonable accommodation for agriculture and development." said DeCock, "The breach to the integrity of this law has been allowed to go on for far too long. It is past time for Congress to act."