An EPA report on the status of the nation's lakes, rivers, and estuaries says that while water quality is not getting worse in America, neither is any progress being made. More than one third of all waterways are reported to be unsuitable for fishing or swimming because of pollution.
Most contaminants are sewage and bacteria, fertilizer, toxic metals, oil and grease.
Typical sources of the pollution include runoff from farms, industrial waste, and city sewer discharge. Nearly 1,000 deaths each year and at least 400,000 cases of waterborne illness may be attributed to contaminated water. . With over 70,000 chemicals now in use and with the introduction of a 1,000 more each year, drinking water contamination is increasing at an alarming rate. According to a leading citizen lobby, U.S. drinking water has 2,100 toxic chemicals causing cancer, cell mutation, and nervous disorders. Existing treatment plants were not designed to remove the new toxic chemicals, and the government is slow to regulate the high rate of contamination.