Much More Effort Needed to Clean America's Waters

A report released by a consortium of leading professional and scientific societies observes that much more must be done to clean America's waters. The report features the findings and recommendations of over 100 scientists, managers and professionals, from over 75 organizations, who attended the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation's "Congress on Control of Nonpoint Source Water Pollution: Options and Opportunities" held September 18-21, 2002, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Delegates reflected on the current state of water resources, particularly the impacts from nonpoint source pollution. A dead zone the size of New Jersey has stretched from the mouth of the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico, mercury contaminated rain falls onto streams, rivers and lakes from Virginia to Maine, and the Chesapeake Bay's sea grasses are disappearing. In the U.S., about 40 percent of streams, 45 percent of lakes and 50 percent of estuaries are not clean enough to support uses such as fishing and swimming. Nonpoint sources of pollution now contribute to the majority of water quality problems.

Current approaches to nonpoint source pollution control, including Best Management Practices (BMPs), have made important contributions to improving water quality. However, as the sole approach, they are insufficient. Efforts must be made to implement programs that place a greater focus on the characteristics of a particular region and take into account all sources of water quality impairment, such as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Utilizing BMPs in conjunction with TMDLs can lead to significant improvement in water quality.

Monitoring is essential to the success of control programs, yet current funding is woefully deficient. Data are necessary for gauging progress and understanding the effects of control strategies. The government cannot set standards of performance, determine controls, and establish goals unless it has data upon which to base those decisions.