A half century after the passage of the federal Clean Water Act, 50% of U.S. river and stream miles are so polluted that they are classified as “impaired.” Not only are these waterways impaired, but so are 55% of lakes, ponds and reservoirs and 25% of bays, estuaries and harbors. This means that none of
The relationship between water quality and soil erosion cannot be overemphasized. Soil erosion and residue management, especially surface water runoff, influence water quality. A silt fence, sometimes called a filter fence, is a temporary sediment control barrier used on construction sites to protect water quality in nearby waterways from sediment in stormwater runoff. The problem
Summer algae blooms are not uncommon, especially when the summer heat moves in, but the toxic algae bloom that caused the issuance of a water ban in Toledo is a sign of Lake Erie’s distress. Lake Erie became very polluted in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of the quantity of heavy industry situated