As a source of drinking water, a beloved recreation area and key commercial and shipping route the Great Lakes are facing massive environmental threats. Clean Water Action, as a leading member of the Healing Our Waters coalition, is working to protect the Great Lakes we love and clean them up for future generations to enjoy.

Keeping Invasive Species Out: Better Ballast Water Standards

Problem: Clean Water at Risk
Did you know that many of our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands are in jeopardy of losing important clean water protections?

Big developers and other polluters are using the courts and backdoor bureaucratic maneuvers to undo clean water protections. Since it was passed in the 1970s, the Clean Water Act–our most important water law—has helped prevent water pollution. Thanks to the Act, we’ve made great progress cleaning up many of our precious lakes, rivers and streams.

Dirty Power Plants, Dirty Water
Over half of the electricity used in the United States comes from coal-burning power plants. Coal is a major source of two of our most challenging pollution problems – mercury and Global Warming. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are homegrown, unlimited and produce no pollution. Yet less than 3% of our electricity comes from clean, renewable sources of energy like wind, solar and biofuels. To protect our air, our water and our health, we need to turn this around with a commitment to clean, renewable energy.

Toxic Products: Threats to Water & Health

Majority of Chemicals not Tested

Awareness is growing about the presence of toxic chemicals in our consumer products and the risks these chemicals pose to our health and the health of the environment. Over 80,000 chemicals are in production in the U.S. Very few have regulations governing their release to the environment or are subject to monitoring. In addition, less than ten percent of these chemicals have been tested for their effect on human health.

• PFC Contaminated sites in Minnesota
• Human Health Effects of PFCs
• Fish Consumption Advisory
• PFC Contamination Nationwide
• PFC sites in Washington County, MN (map)
• Commonly Asked Questions About PFCs

"These chemicals don't behave like anything else on the planet."
–Mary Dominiak, PFC Coordinator, EPA