Clean Water Act

People swim and fish in the Jacks Fork River on a hot summer day in 2021. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and environmental groups warn a Missouri Senate bill could seriously hamper the state's ability to protect clean water.

Missouri bill would slash state regulations on small streams and major aquifers

Allison Kite

Critics say the Missouri legislation debated this week could jeopardize the state’s groundwater and 136,000 miles of streams.

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, while on the Mississippi River.

Health, Science & Environment

EPA finds a St. Louis scrap metal facility illegally polluted the Mississippi

Eric Schmid

The EPA found SA Recycling stored scrap metal, gas cans and other waste material in a way that could transport them into the river during a rain event.

A roadside ditch in Phelps County, which routinely floods. Critics of new definitions of Waters of the United States could include areas like this and make land subject to regulations. Supporters say watersheds are connected, and the definitions should be broad and the regulations tight.

Health, Science & Environment

New clean water rules are coming. EPA and Army Corps hear from farmers tired of changing rules

Jonathan Ahl

A series of virtual roundtable discussions are underway regarding the Waters of the United States definition. But the input might not change much about what comes next.

Lynn Milberg measures the dissolved oxygen concentration of the water at Little Dry Wood Creek in Vernon County, Mo. Nutrient runoff promotes the growth of algae, which can cause oxygen levels to plummet.

Health, Science & Environment

For cleaner water, Mizzou researchers call for updates to the Clean Water Act

Emily Woodbury

Nonpoint source pollution is the biggest threat to water quality today — but the Clean Water Act isn’t fully capable of tackling it, two Mizzou researchers say.

Drinking water would be at the center of a new proposal from University of Missouri faculty to rework the country's water regulations.

Health, Science & Environment

Mizzou researchers want the Clean Water Act to focus on drinking water

Jonathan Ahl

A cross-disciplinary study suggests the multiple laws and regulations designed to protect water aren’t working, and a new focus on drinking water can fix that.

Missouri Farmer Chris Brundick stands near a low-lying area on his Maries County farm that he is concerned could be classified as a "Water of the United States" and put more restrictions on his ability to farm.

Government, Politics & Issues

A new waterways definition could put farmers and environmentalists at odds

Jonathan Ahl

The Biden administration is looking to redefine what it means for a body of water to be included in the Waters of the United States, which could mean new regulations for farmers.

Contractors hired by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District work inside the Deer Creek Tunnel , one of the biggest under Project Clear. The utility is looking for permission to sell $500 million in bonds to fund more Project Clear work, which is required by a 2012 Clean Water Act settlement.

Government, Politics & Issues

St. Louis Region’s Sewer Utility Looks To Sell Bonds For Service Improvements

Rachel Lippmann

The work by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is required by a 2012 settlement over Clean Water Act violations.

A dead zone with sediment from the Mississippi River carries fertilizer to the Gulf of Mexico.

Health, Science & Environment

EPA to propose nutrient pollution rules next year to settle lawsuit

Eli Chen

This story was updated to clarify how the EPA would proceed. The Environmental Protection Agency will propose regulations on nutrient pollution by…

Health, Science & Environment

Environmentalists call on EPA to force states to limit fertilizer runoff into waterways

Eli Chen

Environmental advocates are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to manage nutrient pollution from states that border the Mississippi River. The…

A view of a lake from the Katy Trail in St. Charles.

Health, Science & Environment

Missouri environmental advocates sue EPA over clean water rules

A Missouri environmental group is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to try to force the state to set stricter water pollution…