Happy Birthday, Clean Water Act: Hartford City Council Passes Resolution Supporting EPA Rule

The Clean Water Act turns 42 on Saturday. To celebrate we’ll be sharing reflections on the Act, talking about the fight to protect clean water, and discussing what we can all do to put drinking water first. By Susan Eastwood, Program Coordinator - Follow Susan on Twitter (@sceastwood) Tuesday night, the Hartford City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and US Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal to clarify protection of streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Clean Water Action applauds the Council and thanks Councilwoman Cynthia Jennings for introducing the resolution and for her continued leadership on environmental issues. The timing of the resolution is perfect, as this coming Saturday, October 18, is the forty-second anniversary of passage of the Clean Water Act. What better birthday present than to support the restoration of protections to over half the streams in the US and over 20 million acres of wetlands? These upstream waterways were considered to be covered under the Act for over 30 years until court challenges muddied the definitions of “Waters of the United States”. The proposed rule will clarify which waters are covered and which are not.   The EPA’s proposed rule will do exactly what we need it to do- put drinking water first! We all know that water flows downhill. It is only common sense that we must protect the upstream waters if we want our downstream waters to be clean and healthy sources for drinking water, not to mention manufacturing and recreational uses. Councilwoman Cynthia Jennings, who championed this effort, stated “We all need clean water to live and to thrive. It is the basis of our economy and our leisure, as well. I am proud to be a part of a governing body that clearly cares about the health of its citizens and can look beyond our borders to the welfare of all." When finalized, this rule will better protect the more than 59% of the streams that feed into Connecticut’s drinking water sources. These waters flow into the Farmington and Connecticut Rivers and provide public water for 100% of Hartford residents. “Protecting the health of our streams and wetlands is critical to protecting the drinking water for more than two million Connecticut residents,” said Louis Burch, Government Relations Liaison for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “After more than a decade of our streams and wetlands being put at risk to pollution and destruction, it’s time for our leaders in Washington to take decisive action in restoring Clean Water Act protections to all waters of the United States.  CCE applauds the Hartford City Council for advancing this commonsense resolution, and is calling on other towns and cities to follow suit.” EPA’s proposed protections for streams and wetlands are vital to the health of Hartford’s drinking water. 100% of residents get at least some of their water from the 844 miles of streams and other surface waters supplying Hartford that will be protected when EPA’s proposal is finalized. Sharon Lewis, Executive Director of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice spoke about the disproportionate impact of water pollution on urban populations that depend on public drinking water, “Addressing this issue is long overdue and it is our hope that this new rule will shape water policy that is equitable for everyone.” Margaret Miner of Rivers Alliance added, “Yesterday in New Haven EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy spoke specifically of the importance of upland headwaters and wetlands, and clear, protective law, to the future of the Sound and in fact the entire state.  It is wonderful that the Hartford City Council gets this.  With clear law, clear water will be flowing into Hartford. “ "What is more important than the air we breathe and the water we drink?" said Bob Wendelgass, Clean Water Action’s President and CEO “Clean water attracts and sustains families and businesses, creates healthy communities and fosters a high quality of life. The safety of our drinking water should not depend on what city or state we live in."