Clean water
Together we can protect the waterways that sustain our communities and our health.
Our waterways should be safe for swimming, fishing and drinking. But weak regulations and lax enforcement allow many of our rivers, lakes and streams to become so polluted they are no longer safe. This pollution, along with outdated infrastructure – like lead pipes in our schools – puts our health at risk. We need to work together to make sure our water is treated like the life-giving resource that it is.
The Latest on Clean water
The military is ending the use of PFAS. Why that’s a win for kids’ health.
48,000 signers urge Columbia Sportswear to live up to its sustainability values by banning toxic PFAS
Updates
Advocacy groups to EPA: Take action to reduce near-term “forever chemical” releases
U.S. House takes crucial step toward cleaning up toxic ‘forever chemicals’
An underappreciated way to fight the opioid crisis AND keep our waterways clean
Featured Resources
Who are the top toxic water polluters in your state?
Get the Lead Out
Get the Lead Out Toolkit
Wasting Our Waterways
The Latest
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Consumer advocacy groups launch campaign to get Columbia Sportswear to phase out toxic ‘forever chemicals’
U.S. PIRG Education Fund and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) launched a campaign on Tuesday calling on outdoor gear and apparel brand Columbia Sportswear to phase out the use of PFAS in its products and supply chains. Last month, the company received low marks in a scorecard report released by the advocacy groups. The report found that Columbia Sportswear has failed to adopt policies that ban PFAS chemicals or provide up-to-date, publicly available information on any ongoing efforts to phase out these toxic chemicals from their products.
Campaign for Columbia Sportswear Commitment to Eliminate PFAS Launched Today
Today U.S. PIRG Education Fund and NRDC launched a campaign to urge Columbia Sportswear to eliminate toxic PFAS in their products and supply chain by 2024. The campaign will engage everyday consumers through a petition drive and mobilize the public impacted by PFAS contamination.
Interactive map shows widespread lead contamination in schools drinking water
Lead contamination of school drinking water is more pervasive than previously thought, according to testing data from across the nation published on Thursday by Environment America Research & Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund on a new interactive map. The groups urged public officials to take swift action to “get the lead out” of schools’ drinking water.
Burger King commits to eliminating toxic “forever chemicals” in food packaging globally
Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, announced Wednesday evening a new global commitment to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging used in its restaurants by 2025.
Statement: 12 new Superfund sites signal a boost for EPA’s toxic waste cleanup program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday that it will add 12 new toxic waste sites for prioritized cleanup under its “Superfund” program.
