By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

United States

Key Dangers:

• Pollution - Pollutants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, urban stormwater runoff, and other sources can contaminate waterways. Nutrient pollution from fertilizers is a major issue, causing algal blooms and dead zones in water bodies. Toxic chemicals also pose risks.
• Development and land use changes - Activities like paving over wetlands, clearing forests, urban sprawl, and excessive groundwater pumping can harm habitats and water supply. Wetlands are especially vulnerable, with over 50% lost in some areas since European settlement.
• Invasive species - Non-native plants, animals, and other organisms that outcompete native species are an issue in many water systems. They can be introduced through things like ship ballast water or the aquarium trade.
• Climate change - Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and extreme weather all place stress on aquatic ecosystems through impacts like drought, flooding, and water chemistry changes. Glaciers and snowpack that feed water supplies are threatened.
• Overuse - Overdrawing surface and groundwater faster than natural replenishment rates is occurring in many places, largely for irrigation. This can dry out waterways.
• Dams and diversions - While providing benefits like hydropower and water storage, dams and water diversions also fragment habitat, alter flow regimes, and change water chemistry in ways that harm native plant and animal communities.
• Threat levels depend much on location, but holistic watershed-scale management and conservation efforts are needed to promote resiliency in the face of these systemic dangers.

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Rules Policy & Governance Solutions

• Stronger clean water regulations on pollutants and enforcing violations
• Setting sustainable withdrawal limits for surface and groundwater
• Restoring key protections like the Clean Water Rule that got rolled back
• Better watershed planning and management across jurisdictions
• Reconnecting floodplains and improving stormwater management policies
• Ending subsidies that incentivize environmentally harmful practices

Stock and Flow Structures Technological & Infrastructure Solutions

• Upgrading water infrastructure like sewage systems and drainage to reduce pollution and flooding impacts
• Implementing smart water metering, sensors, and automation technology
• Expanding water recycling/reuse and efficiency measures
• Removing obsolete dams and modifying others to support fish populations
• Using natural and nature-based solutions like wetland restoration and green infrastructure

Paradigms Economic & Lifestyle Solutions

• Appropriately pricing water to encourage conservation and fund aquatic ecosystem protection
• Promoting less meat-intensive and more environmentally sustainable diets to reduce water footprints
• Eco-certification schemes for agriculture and other water-intensive industries
• Encouraging growth management policies to control development in sensitive watershed areas
• Educating the public on how lifestyle choices affect water sustainability
• Targeted efforts in all these areas - backed by sufficient funding and political willpower - could start reversing the most pressing threats facing the country’s precious water ecosystems.

Lay-Person Tasks

• Reduce personal water usage, such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures, and limiting outdoor watering. This helps reduce strain on aquatic habitats.
• Properly dispose of hazardous household waste like cleaning products, motor oil, and paint instead of pouring them down the drain where they can pollute waterbodies. Use non-toxic products when possible.
• Limit the use of pesticides, fertilizers, road salt, and other chemicals on your property through eco-friendly lawn care and landscaping. This keeps them from running off into watersheds.
• Participate in cleanups of local wetlands, lakes, rivers, coasts and other habitats which helps remove plastics and other waste. Report any pollution observed.
• Choose sustainable seafood options and consume less resource-intensive meats to reduce agriculture's water footprint.
• Support organizations through donations or volunteering that protect wetlands, restore rivers, promote water conservation policy, monitor water quality, and educate on water issues.
• Use your vote and civic voice to push for stronger environmental protections and climate-forward policies at the local, state and national levels regarding aquatic ecosystems.
• Invest in water-conscious companies and funds that reduce impacts to water bodies. This encourages innovation in areas like water efficiency.

THIS SECTION HAS NOT BEEN ORGANIZED. Here are some of the major organizations and informative websites focusing on protecting water-related ecosystems in the United States:

Organizations:

The Nature Conservancy ( https://nature.org/ ) - protects wetlands, rivers, and land through acquisitions and conservation projects

American Rivers ( https://americanrivers.org/ ) - protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and advocates for sound water policy. Organize a river clean-up here: https://www.americanrivers.org/make-an-impact/national-river-cleanup/organizers/ See Reports and publications: https://www.americanrivers.org/conservation-resources/publications/?W10=#1

Waterkeeper Alliance ( https://waterkeeper.org/ ) - networks of local Waterkeeper groups patrolling and protecting waterways. Contact your representatives on action items here: https://waterkeeper.org/news/?fwp_action_events=take-action

Trout Unlimited ( https://tu.org/ ) - conserves coldwater fisheries and watersheds especially out West. There seems to be a focus on the hobbyist fishing community. Map of chapters you can join: https://www.tu.org/chapters/ These are action items to contact your representatives about: https://standup.tu.org/?_gl=1%2Adh5x8w%2A_ga%2AMjk3MjQwODIxLjE3MDQ0MzQzNTk.%2A_ga_D3P9D95QQV%2AMTcwNDQzNDM1OS4xLjEuMTcwNDQzNDY0OS40MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.97656476.2097830398.1704434360-297240821.1704434359

Water Environment Federation ( https://wef.org/ ) - professional organization focused on water quality protection policies and management

Government Agencies:

EPA WaterSense ( https://epa.gov/watersense ) - This site has information on water efficiency and conservation.

NOAA Habitat Conservation ( https://habitat.noaa.gov/ ) - restores coastal and marine habitats. Has information on what the government is doing to help. This page has educational materials as well as research. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/habitat-conservation/resources

Information:

Circle of Blue ( https://circleofblue.org/ ) - reporting on global water issues, with a special section on the Great Lakes. Podcast about water- related news around the world. https://www.circleofblue.org/water-podcasts/

Water Footprint Calculator ( https://watercalculator.org/ ) - allows people to assess their water use impacts Educational resources on water: https://www.watercalculator.org/educational-resources/