vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
Low water tariffs and inappropriate tariff structures do not encourage water conservation . For example , decreasing - block rates , under which the unit rate decreases with consumption , offer hardly any incentive for water conservation . In 2000 about 51 % of water tariffs in the U.S. were uniform ( i.e. the unit tariff is independent of the level of consumption ) , 12 % were increasing - block tariffs ( the unit rate increases with consumption ) and 19 % were decreasing - block tariffs . The use of decreasing - block tariffs declined sharply from 45 % of all tariff structures in 1992 . Sewer rates are often flat rates that are not linked to consumption , thus offering no incentive to conserve water .
Flint water crisis
In March 2015 , Flint voted to switch back to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department . This vote was motivated by residential complaints and recommendations from Veolia North America to prevent the city from further violating the Safe Drinking Water Act . Jerry Ambrose , Flint 's emergency manager and financial supervisor , disagreed with the reintroduction of the Detroit water source . Ambrose argued , `` Flint water today is safe by all Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality standards , and the city is working daily to improve its quality . ''
Flint water crisis
On March 25 , 2016 , the EPA and FEMA extended the federal emergency until August 14 , 2016 . The state took over the emergency response after that date .
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
Historically the predominant response to increasing water demand in the U.S. has been to tap into ever more distant sources of conventional water supply , in particular rivers . Because of environmental concerns and limitations in the availability of water resources , including droughts that may be due to climate change , this approach now is in many cases not feasible any more . Still , supply - side management is often being pursued tapping into non-conventional water resources , in particular seawater desalination in coastal areas with high population growth . California alone had plans to build 21 desalination plants in 2006 with a total capacity of 450 million US gallons ( 1,700,000 m ) per day , which would represent a massive 70-fold increase over current seawater desalination capacity in the state . In 2007 the largest desalination plant in the United States is the one at Tampa Bay , Florida , which began desalinating 25 million US gallons ( 95,000 m ) of water per day in December 2007 .
Lake of the Ozarks
In 2011 , the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC ) renewed the lease for the power plant operated by Ameren Missouri . In the process , FERC determined that numerous homes and structures were encroaching on utility land in violation of federal regulations . According to the Boston Globe , this issue `` has triggered panic in the area 's lakefront communities and led to a growing battle among regulators , a utility company , land attorneys , and the state 's congressional delegation . ''
Flint water crisis
At a news conference on February 9 , 2016 , Flint mayor Karen Weaver said that the city would remove and replace all of the city 's 15,000 water service lines containing lead piping . Work was expected to begin in March 2016 . The project will receive technical advice from the Lansing Board of Water and Light , which removed over 13,000 lead pipes in Lansing , Michigan . Lansing mayor Virg Bernero volunteered to provide the assistance . Weaver appointed Michael C.H. McDaniel , a retired National Guard brigadier general , to oversee the group leading the project , the Flint Action and Sustainability Team ( FAST ) . The city government hopes to complete the project within a year , using 32 work crews , with priority given to the most at - risk households . The project is expected to cost $55 million , and the funding sources are not yet secured , but the city plans to seek it from local , state , and federal sources . The crews began working on March 4 .
Wetland
In order to produce sustainable wetlands , short - term , private - sector profits need to come secondary to global equity . Decision - makers must valuate wetland type , provided ecosystem service , long - term benefit , and current subsidies inflating valuation on either the private or public sector side . Analysis using the impact of hurricanes versus storm protection features projected wetland valuation at US $33,000 / hectare / year .
Recycling
Frank Ackerman favours a high level of government intervention to provide recycling services . He believes that recycling 's benefit can not be effectively quantified by traditional laissez - faire economics . Allen Hershkowitz supports intervention , saying that it is a public service equal to education and policing . He argues that manufacturers should shoulder more of the burden of waste disposal .
Environmental policy of the United States
Alternatively , the government can use inducements , or `` market reform '' . Inducements are rewards and punishments used to influence people or groups . The two major types of market reforms are charge systems , such as emissions taxes , and `` tradable permit systems '' . One type of tradable permit system is an `` auction of pollution rights '' in which the amount of allowed pollution is set and divided into units , which are then auctioned , giving environmental organizations the opportunity to buy the units to create a cleaner environment than originally planned . Such a plan was implemented for SO emissions in the 1990 Acid Rain Program and has been undertaken for greenhouse gases on a regional scale as a way to mitigate global warming .
Environmental policy of the United States
During President Bush 's eight years in office he utilized his executive powers for a number of issues . In an effort to bypass NSR requirements , the president took executive action to `` curb plant - by - plant permit reviews '' . He also ordered the EPA to develop a regional regulation using a market - based system . The EPA came - up with the Clean Air Interstate Rule ( CAIR ) . CAIR was aimed at reducing 70 percent of pollution from coal burning plants . However , CAIR would later be struck down by U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 2008 . Additionally , The Clean Air Mercury Rule ( CAMR ) was also introduced . CAMR was created for the purpose of establishing a permanent national cap on mercury emissions . Bush
Sustainability
Other approaches , loosely based around New Urbanism , are successfully reducing environmental impacts by altering the built environment to create and preserve sustainable cities which support sustainable transport and zero emission housing . Residents in compact urban neighborhoods drive fewer miles , and have significantly lower environmental impacts across a range of measures , compared with those living in sprawling suburbs . In sustainable architecture the recent movement of New Classical Architecture promotes a sustainable approach towards construction , that appreciates and develops smart growth , architectural tradition and classical design . This in contrast to modernist and globally uniform architecture , as well as opposing solitary housing estates and suburban sprawl . Both trends started in the 1980s . The concept of Circular flow land use management has also been introduced in Europe to promote sustainable land use patterns that strive for compact cities and a reduction of greenfield land take by urban sprawl .
Flint water crisis
On April 15 , 2013 , State Treasurer , Andy Dillon , approved the water purchase contract with the KWA . Emergency Manager Kurtz signed the KWA water purchase agreement the following day . On April 17 , the Detroit Water and Sewer Department delivered its one - year termination notice after Flint rejected their last offer . The DWSD expected that Flint would reimburse the investments for the water system that benefited regional customers . Flint and Genesee County rejected such responsibility , but indicated their willingness to purchase pipelines .
Recycling
Beverage bottles were recycled with a refundable deposit at some drink manufacturers in Great Britain and Ireland around 1800 , notably Schweppes . An official recycling system with refundable deposits was established in Sweden for bottles in 1884 and aluminum beverage cans in 1982 ; the law led to a recycling rate for beverage containers of 84 -- 99 percent depending on type , and a glass bottle can be refilled over 20 times on average .
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
Concerning drinking water supply the EPA estimated in 2003 that $276.8 billion would have to be invested between 2003 and 2023 . Concerning sanitation , the EPA estimated in 2007 that investment of $202.5 billion is needed over the next 20 years to control wastewater pollution . This includes $134 billion for wastewater treatment and collection , $54.8 billion for resolving unsatisfactory combined sewer overflows and $9 billion for stormwater management . The EPA needs surveys do not capture all investment needs , in particular concerning capital replacement .
National Flood Insurance Program
The intent was to reduce future flood damage through community floodplain management ordinances and provide protection for property owners against potential losses through an insurance mechanism that requires a premium to be paid for the protection . In 2003 , the GAO found that repetitive - loss properties cost the program about $200 million annually . Congress originally intended that operating expenses and flood insurance claims be paid for through the premiums collected for flood insurance policies . NFIP borrows from the U.S. Treasury for times when losses are heavy , and these loans are paid back with interest .
Law
Tax law involves regulations that concern value added tax , corporate tax , and income tax . Banking law and financial regulation set minimum standards on the amounts of capital banks must hold , and rules about best practice for investment . This is to insure against the risk of economic crises , such as the Wall Street Crash of 1929 . Regulation deals with the provision of public services and utilities . Water law is one example . Especially since privatisation became popular and took management of services away from public law , private companies doing the jobs previously controlled by government have been bound by varying degrees of social responsibility . Energy , gas , telecomms and water are regulated industries in most OECD countries . Competition law , known in the U.S. as antitrust law , is an evolving field that traces as far back as Roman decrees against price fixing and the English restraint of trade doctrine . Modern competition law derives from the U.S. anti-cartel and anti-monopoly statutes ( the Sherman Act and Clayton Act ) of the turn of the 20th century . It is used to control businesses who attempt to use their economic influence to distort market prices at the expense of consumer welfare . Consumer law could include anything from regulations on unfair contractual terms and clauses to directives on airline baggage insurance . Environmental law is increasingly important , especially in light of the Kyoto Protocol and the potential danger of climate change . Environmental protection also serves to penalise polluters within domestic legal systems .
Flint water crisis
On March 24 , the City of Flint filed a notice of intent sue in the Court of Claims against the State of Michigan , the MDEQ and four MDEQ employees for their mishandling of the crisis . A week later , Mayor Weaver said she has no intentions to proceed with a lawsuit , and the move is to `` protect the future interest of the city . ''
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
Among the main issues facing water users and the water industry in the U.S. in 2009 are water scarcity and adaptation to climate change ; concerns about combined sewer overflows and drinking water quality ; as well as concerns about a gap between investment needs and actual investments . Other issues are concerns about a swiftly retiring workforce , the affordability of water bills for the poor during a recession , and water fluoridation , which is opposed by some mainly on ethical and safety grounds .
Flint water crisis
On February 2 , 2016 , a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court was filed on behalf of Beatrice Boler , a Flint mother of two , Flint pastor Edwin Anderson with his wife , Alline Anderson , and a company , Epco Sales LLC . against Snyder , the MDEQ , two former state appointed emergency managers and former Flint Mayor Dayne Walling that seeks more than $150 million in refunds and compensation for damages for `` water that was extraordinarily dangerous , undrinkable and unusable . '' It was dismissed on April 19 , 2016 , after the judge ruled the allegations fall under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act , which prevents challenges to the law being ruled on in U.S. District Court and states they must be addressed by the Environmental Protection Agency , and the case should be re-filed in the Michigan Court of Claims .
Water in California
Area of origin laws were passed in reaction to the controversies related to Los Angeles diverting water from the Owens Valley . Despite being on the books for generations , the area of origin statutes were not used until 2000 . In addition , there currently are no court opinions regarding area of origin watershed rights .
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Section 3 of ARRA listed the basic intent behind crafting the law . This Statement of Purpose included the following :
Flint water crisis
On January 28 , 2016 Democratic U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Representative Dan Kildee proposed an amendment to pending federal energy legislation to add the special appropriation of up to $400 million to replace and repair the lead service lines in Flint and $200 million more to create a center for lead research in Flint . They also said the state could choose to match up to $400 million for its share of infrastructure repairs in Flint . The newly amended bill was rejected by the Senate on February 4 . A new $220 million bill to address the crisis was proposed in the U.S. Senate on February 24 .
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
An example of an NGO active in water supply and sanitation is Food & Water Watch , a consumer rights group created in 2005 which focuses on corporate and government accountability relating to food , water , and fishing . Another example is the Alliance for Water Efficiency ( AWE ) , which was created in 2007 with seed funding from the EPA to `` advocate for water efficiency research , evaluation , and education '' at the national level . Its Board members `` represent water utilities , environmental organizations , plumbing and appliance associations , irrigation manufacturers , the academic community , government , and others . ''
Flint water crisis
On March 3 , 2016 , a new lawsuit was filed in state court by LeeAnne Walters , the Flint mother who informed the EPA water expert Miguel Del Toral of the health problems her family experienced after the water switch , against multiple corporate entities and three current and former government employees for their role in the city 's water crisis .
National Flood Insurance Program
In January 2014 , the United States Senate passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 ( S. 1926 ; 113th Congress ) . This bill changed the process used to alter subsidized premiums and reinstated grandfathering of lower rates ; effectively delaying the increases in flood insurance premiums to obtain risk - based premiums under Biggert - Waters and spreading the cost of the lost premiums over all of the remaining policy holders .
Long Island Sound
To address the water quality problems , the EPA created the Long Island Sound Study ( LISS ) to support development of a nitrogen TMDL in 1992 . The TMDL implements innovative strategies , including a nitrogen credit trading program for sewage treatment plants in Connecticut , and bubble permits for sewage treatment plants in New York . Results point to significant nitrogen reductions in Long Island Sound , and significant cost savings . By 1994 , a plan to reduce nitrogen outputs of effluent into the Sound was agreed upon by the federal government and the states of New York and Connecticut . The goal was to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering the Sound by 58.5 percent as of 2014 . New York City agreed with New York state and Connecticut to reduce nitrogen levels in 1998 , but backed off its commitment and was sued by the state . In early 2006 , the city agreed to lower nitrogen outputs and was given until 2017 to meet its reduction goals . By 2007 , $617 million had been spent in upgrading sewage treatment plants , with 39 out of 104 retrofitted with devices to remove nitrogen .
Flint water crisis
January 5 -- Snyder declares a state of emergency in Genesee County . January 12 -- The Michigan National Guard is mobilized to help distribute water in Flint . January 13 -- Snyder announces an outbreak of Legionnaires ' disease occurred in the Flint area between June , 2014 and November , 2015 . January 14 -- Snyder asks President Barack Obama to declare a disaster in Flint . January 16 -- Obama declares a state of emergency in Flint and authorizes $5 million in aid . February 3 -- The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform holds a hearing on the Flint water crisis . February 8 -- Snyder turns down a second invitation to testify at congressional hearing on the crisis . March 17 -- Snyder testifies before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform . April 20 -- Criminal charges are filed against government employees : Mike Glasgow , Stephen Busch , and Mike Prysby . May 4 -- Obama visits Flint . July 29 -- Six state workers are criminally charged , as investigations continue . December 20 -- Four officials are charged with felonies of false pretenses and conspiracy . 2017
Environmental policy of the United States
As established under NEPA , the US was the first nation in the world to introduce the concept of preparing an environmental impact statement ( EIS ) to evaluate the alternatives and impacts of proposed federal actions . The EIS is designed to forge federal policies , programs , projects , and plans . A large percentage of nations around the world have adopted provisions that emulate the American EIS process .
Flint water crisis
Despite these `` dire warnings '' from Del Toral , the memo was not publicly released until November 2015 , after a revision and vetting process . In the interim , the EPA and the Michigan DEQ engaged in a dispute on how to interpret the Lead and Copper Rule . According to EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman , the EPA pushed to immediately implement corrosion controls in the interests of public health , while the Michigan DEQ sought to delay a decision on corrosion control until two six - month periods of sampling had been completed . Meanwhile , MDEQ spokesman Brad Wurfel called Del Toral a `` rogue employee '' for his whistle - blowing efforts . Dr. Marc Edwards , who investigated the lead contamination , wrote that Del Toral had made a `` heroic effort '' that was stymied by the EPA and MDEQ spending months `` wrangling over jurisdiction , technicalities and legalities . ''
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
One way to address the funding needs of utilities to respond to the various challenges they face without increasing the burden of water bills on users is federal financial assistance .
Drinking water supply and sanitation in the United States
The National Association of Water Companies ( NAWC ) , founded in 1895 , which represents the interests of small and large private water and wastewater utilities ; The National Association of Clean Water Agencies ( NACWA ) , founded in 1970 , which represents the interests of wastewater utilities ; The National Rural Water Association ( NRWA ) , founded in 1976 , which represents small water and wastewater utilities ; The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies ( AMWA ) , founded in 1981 , which represents the interests of large publicly owned drinking water utilities . The Water Reuse Association , founded in 2000 , which promotes water reclamation , recycling , reuse and desalination . The Water Quality Association represents manufacturers and dealers of equipment for water treatment .
Natural gas
Environmental -- Because all processing is done at the gas field , there is no requirement for long pipelines to shore , compression units to pump the gas to shore , dredging and jetty construction , and onshore construction of an LNG processing plant , which significantly reduces the environmental footprint . Avoiding construction also helps preserve marine and coastal environments . In addition , environmental disturbance will be minimised during decommissioning because the facility can easily be disconnected and removed before being refurbished and re-deployed elsewhere . Economic -- Where pumping gas to shore can be prohibitively expensive , FLNG makes development economically viable . As a result , it will open up new business opportunities for countries to develop offshore gas fields that would otherwise remain stranded , such as those offshore East Africa .
Recycling
Much of the difficulty inherent in recycling comes from the fact that most products are not designed with recycling in mind . The concept of sustainable design aims to solve this problem , and was laid out in the book Cradle to Cradle : Remaking the Way We Make Things by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart . They suggest that every product ( and all packaging they require ) should have a complete `` closed - loop '' cycle mapped out for each component -- a way in which every component will either return to the natural ecosystem through biodegradation or be recycled indefinitely .
Civilian Conservation Corps
Structural improvements : bridges , fire lookout towers , service buildings Transportation : truck trails , minor roads , foot trails and airport landing fields Erosion control : check dams , terracing , and vegetable covering Flood control : irrigation , drainage , dams , ditching , channel work , riprapping Forest culture : planting trees and shrubs , timber stand improvement , seed collection , nursery work Forest protection : fire prevention , fire pre-suppression , firefighting , insect and disease control Landscape and recreation : public camp and picnic ground development , lake and pond site clearing and development Range : stock driveways , elimination of predatory animals Wildlife : stream improvement , fish stocking , food and cover planting Miscellaneous : emergency work , surveys , mosquito control
Great Barrier Reef
Some examples of the water quality goals outlined by this plan are that by 2013 , there will be a 50 % reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loads at the end of catchments and that by 2020 , there will be a reduction in sediment load by 20 % . The plan also outlines a number of steps that must be taken by landholders to help improve grazing , soil , nutrient , and chemical management practices . There are also a number of supporting initiatives to take place outlined in the plan to help create a framework to improve land use practices which will in turn improve water quality .