Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Dedication
- Introduction: Crime Without Punishment
- 1 The EPA – Policing or Protecting Polluters?
- 2 The Clean Air Act – Gasping for Breath
- 3 The Clean Water Act – Up Sh*t Creek
- 4 Superfund and RCRA – Toxic Trash
- 5 TSCA – The Toothless Tiger
- 6 The Endangered Species Act – Noah's Ark or Titanic?
- 7 Planetary Problems – Cooperation or Collapse?
- Conclusion: A Glimmer of Hope
- Bibliography
- Index
3 - The Clean Water Act – Up Sh*t Creek
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Dedication
- Introduction: Crime Without Punishment
- 1 The EPA – Policing or Protecting Polluters?
- 2 The Clean Air Act – Gasping for Breath
- 3 The Clean Water Act – Up Sh*t Creek
- 4 Superfund and RCRA – Toxic Trash
- 5 TSCA – The Toothless Tiger
- 6 The Endangered Species Act – Noah's Ark or Titanic?
- 7 Planetary Problems – Cooperation or Collapse?
- Conclusion: A Glimmer of Hope
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Humans derive great spiritual and practical value from water. Throughout the ages, water has been a symbol of purity and renewal whose powers were often considered miraculous. We admire water's splendor in many forms: from shimmering icicles and cascading waterfalls to turbulent rivers and crashing waves. And as we all know, water provides an endless source of wonder and excitement: from snorkeling and diving to skiing and ice-skating.
On a more essential level, we humans have always understood water's profound value. Without it, life would be impossible. Life began in, and emerged from, the ocean. Water is the foundation of all terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Our bodies are more than 65 percent water; it is the basic component of every cell. To stay alive we must drink two liters of fresh water every day (directly or indirectly). Water is essential to all our food: from crops and livestock to fish and shellfish. Throughout history, people have made their homes near water. Our great civilizations emerged where water was abundant.
Yet despite its immeasurable spiritual and practical importance, humans have a long history of water abuse. This is primarily because in addition to using water for inspiration, recreation, transportation, irrigation, and hydration, we have also made water our favored mode of sanitation. We've used water to clean up and wash away our messes. Our garbage, including our own bodily wastes, usually went directly into the nearest body of water.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Toxic LoopholesFailures and Future Prospects for Environmental Law, pp. 54 - 78Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010