OARS River Log | By Isabel Ryen, OARS’ Community Engagement Coordinator—TerraCorps Service Member | Published October 31 2024

On October 18th, we celebrated 52 years of the Clean Water Act! It was initially passed as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in 1948, which was the first major US law addressing water pollution. After an oil slick caught fire on the polluted Cuyahoga River in Ohio in 1969, public concern about water pollution grew immensely. The law was therefore amended in 1972 and named the Clean Water Act (CWA). These amendments enforced industry regulations, created EPA pollution control programs, and provided additional measures to maintain water quality standards. The CWA has since been altered to become more expansive and effective, allowing us to prioritize water restoration and protection.

The CWA has been an integral piece of legislation for OARS. Much of our water quality monitoring efforts are informed by the CWA’s regulations. The law mandates Massachusetts denote which waterbodies are projected to fall short of water quality standards, and segments of our rivers are included in this list. The CWA also allowed us to negotiate restrictions on pollutant discharge, permitting, and more. Without the CWA, it would be more difficult to gather support and preserve the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers.

To further emphasize the importance of protecting our waterways, we encourage you to read a recent press release by our partners at the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Ipswich River Watershed Association, and Parker River Clean Water Association. This release highlights an October 18th letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, stating that Massachusetts must strengthen its water withdrawal regulations to safeguard our rivers and streams better. You can learn more about the critical need for these regulatory changes and the collaborative efforts to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act by reading the full press release.

EPA says Massachusetts must do more to protect waterways