Clean Water Action

NEW: Clean Water has released a white paper explaining the importance of protecting all water resources in order to protect our drinking water sources. Preventing pollution and the destruction of streams, wetlands, and other water bodies has multiple benefits, including improving source water quality, protecting public health, and lowering costs for water systems and their customers. Read more: #DrinkingWater #ProtectCleanWater #CleanWaterAct https://lnkd.in/ez2CXHwY

The Clean Water Act is under attack — again. Streams and wetlands are more than just landscape features. They are critical parts of our nation’s water infrastructure that filter out harmful pollutants and prevent flooding. Protecting streams, wetlands, and other water bodies is a commonsense way to safeguard downstream drinking water sources. On March 12, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (#EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers announced plans to review and reconsider which streams, wetlands, and other water resources are protected under the Clean Water Act. A 30-day public comment period is now open through April 23, 2025 — this is our chance to speak out before it’s too late. #ActNow: submit your comment to #ProtectCleanWater today! https://lnkd.in/ezncgDMQ

What would a 65% budget cut to the EPA mean to our health and communities? Our National Water Programs Coordinator Sean Jackson explains:

Clean Water Action's webinar "The Tea on Chemicals of Concern: What's Hiding in Our Products?" is TODAY, March 24th at 6 PM ET, on Zoom! RSVP at the link below to join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation on the chemicals hiding in our everyday beauty products and their impact on our health. This #WomensHistoryMonth, we are bringing together experts, advocates, and community voices to break the silence on beauty justice and push for industry-wide change! Featuring Guest Speakers: ✅Esohe Irabor, Ph.D. – Dr. Irabor is a Nigerian-American public health expert with a Ph.D. in Biology from Howard University. ✅Janet Nudelman is the Senior Director of Program & Policy at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and the Director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. ✅Dr. Dede Teteh-Brooks, a public health leader and researcher dedicated to reducing health disparities in Black communities. ✅X Braithwaite, Environmental Justice Organizer Clean Water Action New Jersey https://lnkd.in/eeSmPGPF

"These actions would threaten our water quality and drinking water, reverse our progress on addressing the climate crisis, and put our most vulnerable communities at more risk. When paired with the dismantling of environmental justice programs, the closing of all EPA’s environmental justice offices across the country, devastating cuts to EPA’s staffing and spending, one thing is clear – EPA is focused on serving polluters rather than on its core mission of implementing our landmark environmental and health protection laws."

"This isn’t just another budget debate. It’s a battle for our right to clean water — a resource that underpins our health, our economy, and our future." More on the consequences of drastic EPA cuts from our National Water Campaigns Coordinator Sean Jackson:

Critical environmental and health protections are at risk. Similar to recent efforts to freeze federal funding, attempts to rollback essential safeguards designed to protect clean water, the environment, and public health would cause more confusion and harm. This would open doors for polluters, not protect our communities. Your voice matters! Send a message: https://lnkd.in/ecZaZW8x Protections that may be at risk include: 🔥 The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s Waste Emissions Charge, which implements a commonsense charge on methane and incentivizes the oil and gas industry to reduce their methane emissions. Reducing methane pollution is critical to improving air quality and slowing down our current rate of global warming. 🌱 The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters, which creates energy conservation standards for various products and equipment, including water heaters. These standards are an important step to reduce utility bills, cut energy waste, and reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution that contributes to climate change. 🚰 EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (also known as LCRI), which requires the full replacement of all lead service lines in regulated drinking water systems within 10 years. It is crucial to reduce lead exposure wherever we can.

It’s been so disheartening seeing everything going on in DC. The EPA is vital to enforcing critical safeguards for our environment and public health.  Make your voices heard and please share this widely — tell Congress to defend the EPA. 

“If this is pushed through on an emergency permit, the implications of an oil spill if there’s an explosion or something during tunnel construction is that over 700 miles of Great Lakes shoreline could be at risk” - Sean McBrearty, Clean Water Action Michigan State Director in The New York Times #ShutDownLine5 #NoTunnel #GreatLakes

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we honor Clean Water Champions whose work not only uplifts the past but builds a more just and sustainable future. Today we are proud to honor Erik McCleary as a 2025 Black History Clean Water Champion for his dedication to #EnvironmentalJustice and #EnergyDemocracy in Michigan. Erik is now at the forefront of Michigan’s energy battles — advocating for Ann Arbor’s municipal utility, publishing Coming Together for Equitable Public Power, and challenging major investor-owned utilities. Alongside coalition partners, Erik urges the state legislature and the Michigan Public Service Commission to push for green infrastructure while opposing fossil fuel expansion. Erik believes true energy democracy requires communities to take ownership of power systems. By educating consumers on energy generation and distribution, he is laying the foundation for a nationwide transition to sustainable energy. Equity and inclusion remain central to his work. Recognizing the long history of environmental racism, Erik collaborates with frontline organizations to ensure that affected communities are included in decision-making and supported in their ongoing efforts. Congratulations Erik, you are a Clean Water Champion!