New Proposed Rule Fights for Safe Drinking Water for All
“Waters of the U.S.” is a new proposed rule that aims to ensure every American has safe drinking water by improving and revising current pollution laws.
On Nov. 14, the public comment period was closed on a new proposed rule that the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says “will help ensure that Americans have safe drinking water by closing a critical gap in the nation's pollution laws.” With more than 60 pages of comments submitted to the EPA and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the rule seeks to clarify exactly which bodies of water are covered by the Clean Water Act which can significantly increase their protection.
"We believe the proposed rule to be a strong step forward that is largely consistent with the law's central purpose and broad jurisdiction," the NRDC stated.
The NRDC also said that better protection is needed in order to ensure safer downstream water quality. Industries, such as coal mining, should have more restrictions in place so that natural waters aren’t contaminated, said NRDC.
More than 700,000 Americans have written their support on the proposed “Waters of the U.S” rule.