In a l998 assessment of the nation's waterways, EPA said today that the new data show that 40 percent of the nation's assessed waterways remain too polluted for fishing and swimming. The 40 percent figure is generally consistent with findings of the last decade. Millions of Americans spend billions of dollars every year at their favorite waterways.
American families deserve safer water.
The l998 figures reflect the states' assessment of a third of the nation's waterways. Among the states' findings, over 290,000 miles of 840,000 miles of assessed rivers and streams do not meet water quality standards. States also assessed nearly half of all lakes, reservoirs and ponds, finding nearly half polluted. Although threats remain, states found that ground water quality generally remains good and can support many different uses.