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Friday, April 10, 2015

Weaponizing Our Water


http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/programs/cae/protect-californias-waters

 Thought that the Clean Water Act kept our oceans safe? Think again.
West Virginia’s Elk River was the victim of a 10,000 gallon oil spill in January, leaving 300,000 people without water to drink, bathe in or cook with.
In Toledo, Ohio,  a toxic algae bloom contaminated the water in February and 400,000 people went without drinking water. In the algae there was a potent substance called cyanotoxin, something the military had once considered weaponizing.
The Clean Water Act was passed over 40 years ago, yet polluting industries are still putting our waters at risk. Specifically, putting 2 million miles of our streams and the drinking water of 117 million Americans at risk. And the EPA's proposed solution, a new rule closing the loopholes in The Clean Water Act, is being opposed by polluting companies.
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12 comments:

  1. Coleman-MAMay 18, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    I noticed that oil companies use loopholes to avoid the Clean Water Act. What are the loopholes that allow them to avoid the act?

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  2. Seth - MAMay 18, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    I really like the topic that you picked and I think it is very interesting because back in 2010 there was this big debate about wether or not we should put a massive oil pipe running from Canada to texas (its called the keystone pipeline) they have all ready put in much of the pipe line but there are still people who see the negative effects that it could have. I was wondering what they were going to change in the clean water act to get rid of the loopholes.

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  3. Seth - MAMay 18, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    I really like the topic that you picked and I think it is very interesting because back in 2010 there was this big debate about wether or not we should put a massive oil pipe running from Canada to texas (its called the keystone pipeline) they have all ready put in much of the pipe line but there are still people who see the negative effects that it could have. I was wondering what they were going to change in the clean water act to get rid of the loopholes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ethan-MAMay 18, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    I agree, weaponizing water sounds like a very dangerous issue. I found it interesting how so much of our drinking water is being polluted then the millions of Americans who are being put at risk could be seriously injured. If we do not clean up the water the future could be extremely dangerous for everyone associated with the polluted water. It makes me wonder how the pollution will effect the people of the future if the water is not cleaned up.

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  5. Ethan-MAMay 18, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    I agree, weaponizing water sounds like a very dangerous issue. I found it interesting how so much of our drinking water is being polluted then the millions of Americans who are being put at risk could be seriously injured. If we do not clean up the water the future could be extremely dangerous for everyone associated with the polluted water. It makes me wonder how the pollution will effect the people of the future if the water is not cleaned up.

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  6. Max-MAMay 18, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    I'm surprised that the EPA are only doing this now, instead of a long time ago. Sounds like the oil companies were causing big problems in the past. Why does the EPA decide to act now?

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 8, 2015 at 3:34 PM

      I think what drives people in general to act is usually situations in which they are under extreme pressure- in other words, the water reached a level of extreme potential harmfulness, so the EPA can't avoid the issue any longer.

      Delete
  7. Josephch-MA May 18, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    I'm shocked that people leave without water. Why would they leave without water? People need water to survive.

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  8. ChelseaSI-MAMay 19, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    I am researching this topic also, companies find ways around the Clean Water Act, and will keep polluting the waters. I find this very interesting that there isn't more people trying to put an end to this. But how will this effect California?

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  9. ChelseaSI-MAMay 19, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    I am researching this topic also, companies find ways around the Clean Water Act, and will keep polluting the waters. I find this very interesting that there isn't more people trying to put an end to this. But how will this effect California?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Myles-MAJune 2, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    I think it's quite interesting how not only you spoke posted about the pollution you guys down in CA are having with your water, but you also spoke about how the government and the military are getting involved in it! It surprises me all together how even the government passed the Clean Water Act, as you said, companies are disregarding those rules and "are still putting waters at risk". It also surprised how instead of the military focusing on trying to defend people from the algae as their main problem, they focused on trying to use this toxic substance in a more positive way that can help them.

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  11. Myles-MAJune 2, 2015 at 7:16 AM

    I also made a post talking about the pollution in the water of Boston Harbor that we are having.

    ReplyDelete

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