The Good Earth
Progress since 1970 — from an ecologist’s perspective
by Steve Halterman

    I was a biology instructor and a budding ecologist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis  (UMSL) in the late 1960s. Those were exciting days for environmental scientists — they were also frustrating ones.
    They were exciting because ecologists expected that the environmental movement, then focusing mainly on nature conservation, would expand to include protection of public health and the environment from pollution. Other scientists were starting to get the picture. The “health” of aquatic ecosystems definitively was linked to water quality, and the negative impact of chemicals on the environment already had been well documented in scientific literature.
    In addition, the original 1948 Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) had been amended a half dozen times to increase the ways by which we could protect our waters. Finally, right here in St. Louis, Barry Commoner established the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems to study the science of the “total environment.”
    So, why were the days also frustrating? In spite of all the scientific evidence and environmental laws in place, the environment was not getting cleaned up fast enough. The general public did not understand the disastrous consequences awaiting us if we did not take action.  Ecologists wondered how this could be. Look at the evidence. Rivers caught on fire, clouds of polluted air smothered our cities and raw sewage and untreated industrial wastes flowed into our rivers. Ecologists realized we would never get anywhere as long as scientists just kept on telling each other about pollution problems and the consequences of not doing anything about it—and not talking to the public.
    But things were about to change! By late 1969 and early 1970, scientists, educators and environmental activists across the country were planning Earth Day. The public education program sought to raise awareness of the terrible condition of our environment, improve the understanding that it didn’t have to stay that way and empower the public and government to repair the damage. In April, 1970, 20 million people across the United States celebrated the first Earth Day. It provided a groundswell of public pressure for greater environmental protection, which played a vital part in many improvements.
    For example, within two years the U.S. government created the Environmental Protection Agency to protect the environment and public health. Also, the Clean Air Act set national air quality, auto emission and anti-pollution standards. The EPA banned DDT and reviewed all pesticides. Congress amended the Clean Water Act to limit raw sewage and other pollutants flowing into rivers, lakes and streams.
    This was just the beginning. Forty years after the first Earth Day, we can look back and be thankful for a myriad of environmental improvements, such as the banning of the carcinogen PCB and many other toxic pesticides. We also benefit from reduced discharges of factory wastes to our waters, the cleanup of  hazardous waste “superfund sites,” a ban on ocean dumping, increased regulation and control of nuclear energy production, control of erosion and pollution from stormwater runoff, increased recycling opportunities, initiatives to reduce acid rain and the improved technologies for treating drinking water.
    Over the last 40 years since the first Earth Day, we have solved many pollution problems in our lakes, streams and in the air, but what about drinking water? St. Louis area water is tested for more than 150 contaminants that must be successfully removed by the treatment process. Raw river water is analyzed as it enters treatment plants, throughout the treatment process and at multiple points throughout the distribution system.
    The frequency and thoroughness of the testing exceeds federal requirements. Now, contaminants that are regulated by the EPA include barium, fluoride, lead, copper, nitrate/nitrite, bacteria, turbidity, the herbicide Atrazine and radiation. Many optional tests, not required by the EPA, are also performed to detect chloride, iron, sulfates and total dissolved solids. St Louis water has never exceeded the limits placed on any of these contaminants. Not only is the water very safe to drink, it tastes good, too.
    In 2007, the City of St. Louis Water Division was selected for a Best-Tasting Water award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. And in 2008, Missouri American Water’s St. Louis operation was recognized with the Partnership for Safe Water’s five-year Director’s Award for water quality performance that surpassed EPA standards. The Partnership is a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. EPA, the American Water Works Assn. and other water organizations. Fewer than one percent of all water utilities in the U.S. have been awarded this honor.
    While we have come a long way, we still have work to do. The concentrations of mercury in the atmosphere and in fish are unacceptable. Many streams and lakes still have  dangerous levels of bacteria, and many are choked with algae and aquatic plants caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, septic systems and municipal and industrial discharges. Also, greenhouse gas emissions threaten serious climate change.
    These huge issues cannot be corrected without continued public pressure on lawmakers, federal and state environmental agencies and local boards and commissions.  For those reasons, Earth Day celebrations need to continue. We want to educate and empower the general public and governments to take action and support laws, regulations and local bylaws that result in environmental improvement.
    In my career as an ecologist, I am happy to have seen many great improvements in the environment — and to even have taken part in efforts that led to some small improvements. However, I cannot help being a little saddened when I remember that April day in 1970, because I couldn’t have imagined that we would still be facing such significant environmental challenges 40 years later!