An American Right and Responsibility for our Health and our Families Americans have a right to clean water.
Water polluted by toxics threatens our health and the health of our families.
We have made great strides in cleaning up our rivers, lakes, and beaches over the last 25 years, but we still have a long way to go. Today, over one-third of our waters are not safe for swimming or fishing. Making a commitment to a strong Clean Water Act is everyone's responsibility. Here are six principles to follow for a meaningful and effective Clean Water Act. Each time it rains, water runs off the land and picks up toxic pesticides and fertilizers from farm fields and lawns, heavy metals and oils from cars and trucks, manure from animal feedlots, poisonous chemicals and metals from mining sites, and sediment from construction sites, farms and timber operations.