Water pollution has been affecting people since the Progressive Era. Between 1880 and 1890, water pollution increased which worried health officials and got scientists studying it.

In the late 1890s, towns had sewage being released into waters, causing major pollution and contamination. So the Committee Standard Methods of Water Analysis of the American Public Health Association got started.

Right before 1900, scientists found vital procedures to do with movement of foreign matter in groundwater. By 1910 people were aware about acids, brines, and toxic metals that affected groundwater.

In present times, water pollution has impacted the environment specifically in Washington state.

The Clean Water Bill, HB1614, is up for debate and would create jobs, clean waters, and fine polluters.

This would be a good thing if it charges people whose pollution is proven to hurt water. Another way to clean water is the Washington State Water Pollution Control Act, which makes regulations. This would be excellent because pollution is an issue and needs rules.

The Hanford Nuclear Reservation affected water pollution as well. To fix this problem, Washington has tanks holding nuclear waste underground.

The Water Quality Program will hopefully clean the Columbia River that was affected by Hanford.

Angela Pellicano

Eighth-grader at Inglewood Junior High