More than half of the country’s lakes and rivers are not meeting water quality standards.

A major goal of the U.S. Clean Water Act is maintaining “designated uses” for rivers, lakes, and coastal waterways. Uses include fishing, swimming, boating, irrigation, drinking water, and wildlife habitat. Every two years, states must submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a list of impaired water bodies that are not meeting quality standards for their designated uses.

clean water act map infographic pollution impaired waters united states

Graphic © Kaye LaFond/Circle of Blue
The most common pollutants found in U.S. waterways include mercury, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, and pathogens.Click image to enlarge.

This graphic accompanies the article, U.S. Clean Water Law Needs New Act for the 21st Century, by Circle of Blue reporter Codi Kozacek. Contact Codi Yeager

is both a scientist and a journalist, she holds an MS in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University, and she brings proficiency in ESRI’s ArcGIS mapping software.