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

Minnesotans love our lakes, rivers and streams. We enjoy swimming, fishing and boating on our state’s beautiful waters. But polluters have succeeded in weakening the Clean Water Act, our waters’ best defense against degradation. EPA inaction and pro-polluter Supreme Court rulings have jeopardized the integrity of this landmark law. Without a strong Clean Water Act and strict enforcement our lakes, rivers and streams are at risk. Clean Water Action is fighting to restore the original intent of the Act—making sure all our waters are safe for fishing and swimming.

Learn more about restoring the Clean Water Act.

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

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

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.