Access to swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters is a basic human right, and today that right is under attack by big polluters and those in Congress who seek short-term gain at the expense of the health of our communities.

In 1972, 39 years ago, our nation’s waterways were sick. Rivers such as the Cuyahoga and the majestic Hudson were so impacted by toxic pollution that they were literally flammable and would cause serious illness to anyone who came in contact with them, and Lake Erie was declared all but dead; it was time for congress to act, and they did.

On October 18, 1972 the U.S. Congress passed what some consider the most significant environmental legislation in our nation’s history: the Clean Water Act.

Enactment of the Clean Water Act created a simple, yet powerful and effective tool to help address these problems: a federal safety net for water quality that guarantees a minimum level of protection to all Americans, no matter where you live. And for nearly 40 years this approach has been working, and it is time to let Congress know that citizens are standing up for their right to clean water and healthy communities, and we will not let corporate polluters and their cronies in Congress weaken this important and historic legislation.

Join Waterkeeper Alliance and our 130 Waterkeepers across the U.S. in letting Congress know that access to clean water is a fundamental right for all and to oppose the attacks currently being waged on clean water by big polluters.

for more info or to find YOUR local Waterkeeper visit: www.waterkeeper.org