New Clean Water Rule Benefits Business

Despite the opposition from large corporations that pollute, many businesses are showing support of the new clean water rule that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued. With this new rule, appropriately titled the Clean Water Rule, the EPA is taking one step further to protect the rivers and lakes of America. As polluters circumvented the regulations of the Clean Water Act by dumping toxic waste into smaller streams and other waterways, many of the major rivers were still impacted by excessive water pollution.

Even though there is some strong opposition from companies that tend to dump into these smaller streams, many businesses are speaking up for this new EPA rule. While chemical companies and certain factories claim that this new rule will increase prices to the public, other businesses see cleaner water as an opportunity to create jobs. Some of the industries that benefit from EPA’s new rule include restaurants, recreational facilities, wellness and fitness companies and tourism.

Many small businesses recognize the devastating impact of not protecting valuable water sources. For instance, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico a few years ago cost the Louisiana fishing industry over $2.5 billion in revenues and Florida’s Gulf Coast tourist industry around $3 billion in lost income. Many businesses in these local communities rely heavily on clean water to attract tourists to their cities.

Not surprisingly, the fight over new regulations usually occurs in the political arena. Large corporations often have a strong influence in Washington D.C. by being vocal with their opinions. Until recently, many smaller businesses kept quiet about their feelings on these issues. The good news is that many industries are now stepping up to declare their support for cleaner water rules. For instance, the beer industry with over 45 brewers has made a clear case to Congress that the EPA’s water rules are a huge benefit to their products. Other outdoor and tourist organizations are also making their voice heard politically in support of cleaner water.

Water recycling helps reduce the pollutants that affect the environment and creates a better way for pollutant disposal. AWWT helps companies that want to comply with new regulations by providing an analysis of their current water systems and creating an action plan. By reusing treated wastewater for agricultural or landscape irrigation, industrial production, construction needs or replenishing ground water basins, businesses are helping the environment as well as improving their bottom line.