Author: National Research Council Publisher: National Academies Press ISBN: 0309177812 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 252
Book Description
The Mississippi River is, in many ways, the nation's best known and most important river system. Mississippi River water quality is of paramount importance for sustaining the many uses of the river including drinking water, recreational and commercial activities, and support for the river's ecosystems and the environmental goods and services they provide. The Clean Water Act, passed by Congress in 1972, is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States, employing regulatory and nonregulatory measures designed to reduce direct pollutant discharges into waterways. The Clean Water Act has reduced much pollution in the Mississippi River from "point sources" such as industries and water treatment plants, but problems stemming from urban runoff, agriculture, and other "non-point sources" have proven more difficult to address. This book concludes that too little coordination among the 10 states along the river has left the Mississippi River an "orphan" from a water quality monitoring and assessment perspective. Stronger leadership from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is needed to address these problems. Specifically, the EPA should establish a water quality data-sharing system for the length of the river, and work with the states to establish and achieve water quality standards. The Mississippi River corridor states also should be more proactive and cooperative in their water quality programs. For this effort, the EPA and the Mississippi River states should draw upon the lengthy experience of federal-interstate cooperation in managing water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
Author: Great Britain. National Rivers Authority Publisher: Stationery Office Books (TSO) ISBN: Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 132
Book Description
In September 1989, dogs and sheep died at Rutland Water following the ingestion of a scum of toxic blue-green algae. The NRA therefore undertook the first major national appraisal of blue-green algae throughout England and Wales. Their report describes the results of the 1989 survey and looks at how events were managed. Recommendations are made for future management, monitoring, research and development. It also reviews blue-green algal toxins, the factors which affect blue-green algal bloom production and approaches to controlling algal populations.
Author: National Research Council Publisher: National Academies Press ISBN: 0309181313 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 294
Book Description
The city of Pittsburgh and surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania face complex water quality problems, due in large part to aging wastewater infrastructures that cannot handle sewer overflows and stormwater runoff, especially during wet weather. Other problems such as acid mine drainage are a legacy of the region's past coal mining, heavy industry, and manufacturing economy. Currently, water planning and management in southwestern Pennsylvania is highly fragmented; federal and state governments, 11 counties, hundreds of municipalities, and other entities all play roles, but with little coordination or cooperation. The report finds that a comprehensive, watershed-based approach is needed to effectively meet water quality standards throughout the region in the most cost-effective manner. The report outlines both technical and institutional alternatives to consider in the development and implementation of such an approach.
Author: National Research Council
Author: 
Author: Mark R. Have
Author: 
Author: Great Britain. National Rivers Authority
Author: 
Author: James R. Stark
Author: 
Author: National Research Council
Author: Mary E. Renwick