Why it matters There's no such thing as new water; we just keep using the same water over and over again. The water you drank this morning could once have filled George Washington's bathtub. Only three percent of the earth's water is fresh water, and most of that is frozen in the polar icecaps. Less than one percent of the planet's water is available for our use, and nearly half of that is presently polluted. Before the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1978, much of the pollution in the nation's waterways was caused by industrial waste. Today, the biggest problem is untreated runoff from residences, highways, farms, and building sites. Individual responsibility is crucial for curbing this type of pollution. What you can do 1. Don't waste water in your home. Each time water goes down your drain, it has to be recleaned and more chemicals are added to it. 2. Choose your household cleaners carefully. Remember, someone downstream will drink the water that goes down your drain. Water treatment plants are designed to kill germs, but can't eliminate many of the chemicals we add during residential use. 3.Use fertilizers and lawn additives sparingly. Runoff from yard products is a major source of waterway pollution. 4. Keep in mind that your actions dictate water quaility for people downstream from you, just as the actions of those upstream from you impact your water. 5. For more ideas and information, click on links on this web site.