Five environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Thursday, July 17 in Tallahassee, Fla., in an attempt to force stricter regulation of water pollution in Florida and nationally, The Associated Press reported.
The groups claim the agency is violating the Clean Water Act by not setting standards for farm waste and fertilizer runoff in Florida’s waterways. EPA said it will review the lawsuit, and Florida said the state is studying ways to set such limits.
Earthjustice attorney David Guest, representing the plaintiffs, said he hopes a favorable ruling will force the EPA to set national standards.
The groups say waterways are contaminated and ecosystems are poisoned when rain washes runoff into rivers and lakes.
Source: The Associated Press
