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Carson Ward
Mrs. Mantlo
20 September 2016
English IV
The Negativity of Government Regulations on Water Pollution

Government regulations have failed to make Americas oceans and water-ways cleaner.
These regulations, like the Clean Water Act, may have even caused some harm to other
environments around them. Government regulations need to be improved to provide a healthier
and more sustainable environment for aquatic life, humans, and other organisms that may rely on
water.
All surface water in the U.S is polluted. Storm water runoffs carries pollution from
several land-use activities. Storm runoff also carries oil, litter, and chemicals into surface waters
(Lovejoy). Mines are another major part that has a role water pollution. Acids, heavy metals,
salts, and radioactive materials can seep into ground water before flowing into surface waters
(Lovejoy). According to Lovejoy, Over time, pollutants can affect the respiration and
reproductive patterns of fish and other aquatic animals. Therefore, there are health risks for the
humans who consume them (Lovejoy). Because of stricter regulation, amounts of pollution have
substantially reduced.
Beaches are frequently being closed because of unsanitary conditions. Millions of people
all over the U.S. have become sick from unsanitary sewage overflows (Seachman). Public

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officials usually dont close popular beaches unless waters are absolutely disgusting. Seachman
states, According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which reviewed surveys
from 2,251 ocean and lake beaches, the nation had at least 11,270 combined days of beach
closings and advisories against swimming during 2000. Since 1989 there have been at least
1,000 days reported annually in which swimming was restricted (Lovejoy). Congress passed the
Clean Water Act predicted water pollution would be eliminated by 1985 (Lovejoy). Instead of
making a safe discharge for waste, cities and towns dump raw sewage into the nearest waterway.
There are many organizations that put forth effort cleaning up our oceans, and waterways.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an agency set out to clean up polluted waters.
The EPA has the responsibility to determine which waters are clean and which waters are not
(Stephenson). The original regulations were not doing the job, therefore they transformed the
regulations to improve the outcome (Stephenson). The agency also has a limit on how much
waste they can dump at once (Stephenson). With these adjustments, hopefully are waters will be
clean, and pollution free.
Government regulations, like the Clean Water Act, need to be improved to provide a
healthier and more sustainable environment for aquatic life, humans, and other organisms that
rely on water. Many organizations are coming together to try to get out oceans, and waters
cleaner. Its important for people to start doing their part to attempt to prevent water pollution.

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Works Cited
Lovejoy, Stephen B., and Jeffrey Hyde. "Clean Water Regulations Should Be Strengthened."
Pollution. Ed. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Current Controversies.
Rpt. from "Nonpoint-Source Pollution Defies U.S. Water Policy." Forum for Applied
Research and Public Policy (Winter 1997). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23
Sept. 2016.
Seachman, Steve. "Government Regulations Do Not Prevent Water Pollution." The Environment.
Ed. Laura K. Egendorf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt.
from "American Citizens Are Left to Swim in Government Cesspool." Insight on the
News (26 Aug. 2002). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
Stephenson, John B. "Clean Water: Better Information And Targeted Prevention Efforts Could
Enhance Spill Management In The St. Clair-Detroit River Corridor: GAO-06-639." GAO
Reports (2006): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.