1970s American Urban Water Pollution And Cleansing Of Federal Government

The 1970's witnessed the federal government's interference into environment problems on a large scale. From hence the federal government played a central role in the cleansing environment. Water pollution in urban area has been a long-existing headache for cities. Why is it in the 1970's that the federal government launched a national campaign against this problem? This thesis approaches the subject from four perspectives: firstly the flourishing prosperity and soaring growth of postwar economy brought enormous burden to resources and environment; secondly, the transform of metropolis resulted in the decline of downtown area and the prosperity of suburban area, which were accompanied by the problems of facility deterioration and supply insufficiency. These are an important reason for the problem of urban water pollution which can't be solved by the municipal government alone but calls for the interference of federal government; thirdly, the water cleansing acts before the 1970's laid the legal foundation for the federal government's large-scale interference into this problem; fourthly, the changes in the public's value concerning environment which call for a pleasant living environment lead to the grand environment movement of the 1970s. This movement becomes the mediate impetus of the federal government's interference. The establishment of environment protection bureau by the Nixon administration in 1970 and the pass of Federal Water Pollution Control Act in 1972 which became the most important act in tackling water pollution problem are the focus of this thesis.The four chapters of thesis analyzed the reason behind the federal government's interference into water pollution problem in the 1970's and make evaluation of its efforts.Chapter one introduces the growth of postwar economy and urban construction. The rapid economic growth and changes in industrial structure and economic center not only improved the living standard of American public but also brought great burden to environment. Urbanization in postwar American took the form of metropolis which leads to declined inner city and prosperous suburban area. Declined inner city needed support from the federal government and among them is pollution cleansing. Ever since the 19^th century the water supply and draining system of American cities has developed into a complete technical procedure, though with the city as a major pollutant source itself.Chapter two deals with the water pollution caused by urban development. The decline of inner city brought serious financial difficulties onto the municipal government which forced it to cut down the fund to water supply and draining system, making it one of the urban pollutants. To solve the problem support from the federal government is essential. Suburban development and construction along with the activity of local residents deteriorated the pollution problem. Before the 1970's the federal government attempted to assist the state and municipal government in their effect to cleanse pollution through a serious of acts which laid the foundation for later efforts although achieved little success for its lack of intensity.Chapter three describes the springing up the environment movement and examines the federal government's efforts to tackle the pollution problem. The environment movement has its root in the changing climate of postwar society. The improvement of education and living standard of American public caused corresponding changes in their attitude towards environment. National environment is regarded as not only the essential resources for economic development but as an integral part of high-quality life. This transformation of people's concept gave impetus to the federal government's cleansing efforts. The Nixon administration set up the Environment Protection Bureau to deal with environmental problem and passed Clear Water Act in 1972, which became the most important legal reference for water pollution control.Chapter four makes evaluation of these effects. Large sums of money have been put by government of various level and industries into the releasing and processing of waste water, which resulted in the great decrease of pollutants into the environment, but which still failed to achieve the predestined goal set by Clear Water Act. This is due to the fact that residential and industrial waste water are the main focus of efforts, at the same time other polluting sources are neglected in the process. Environment problem is closely connected with the development of American cities, which plays a dual role in the both damaging and protecting the environment.