Environmental Progress - Spring 2002

Environmental Progress : Spring 2002

1972-2002: Clean Water Act Is 30 Years Old

Emphasis shifts from direct discharge to nonpoint source controls

In 1972, just two years after both the Illinois EPA and the U.S. EPA came into being, environmental issues were a focus of national concern. Chief among them was concern over the quality of the nation's streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. In 1972, Congress passed and the president signed legislation that gave the nation the Clean Water Act, with its goal of making the nation's water fishable, swimmable and drinkable.

The 30 years that followed this landmark legislation have seen significant strides in improving water quality in Illinois. The miles of streams and acres of lakes that have been assessed have soared. Stream miles rated as "good" have increased from 35 to 63 percent, while lakes acres rated "good" and "fair" have risen from 72 to 97 percent.

Prior to the passage of the Clean Water Act, discharges of untreated industrial and municipal waste to streams were common. Today, uncontrolled industrial and municipal pollution has been virtually eliminated.

upgrades was phased out and a low interest revolving loan program utilizing state and federal dollars put into use. In the 1990s, a similar program was authorized for drinking water supplies. To date, more than $7 billion has been invested in these efforts, utilizing a mix of federal and state dollars for 20 year loans whose repayment goes back into the fund to be loaned to other applicants.

In 2002, Illinois committed $70 million to help unsewered communities replace failing septic systems with sewer systems.

Nonpoint source pollution is now the target

With controls in place on "end of pipe" direct discharges, efforts are now being turned toward control of nonpoint source pollution the kind of pollution that results when stormwater, rain or snow melt runs across farm fields and urban expanses like parking lots, streets, lawns and playing fields within a watershed, picking up chemicals, oil, animal waste and debris that are carried into nearby water bodies through direct runoff or discharge through storm sewers. Watershed-wide efforts to control nonpoint source pollution are going to require significant citizen input and action; so far more than 100 citizen watershed planning groups have been formed and are working to control these difficult-to-regulate forms of water pollution.

2002 -- The Year of Clean Water

Recognizing the need for abundant clean water in all aspects of life, Gov. George H. Ryan on Earth Day 2002 signed a proclamation designating 2002 as The Year of Clean Water and setting aside October as Clean Water Month. Illinois joined other states around the nation marking the event, incorporating information about the Clean Water Act into ongoing Agency programs, creating special Clean Water Act displays featuring a specially designed 30th anniversary logo, and supporting a team of young environmentalists and their school advisor who will take part in a national Youth Summit in October in Maryland.