A press release from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that more than 40,000 miles of rivers and streams are currently threatened by pollution.

According to tests submitted by the state to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Colorado River region shows added impairment listings for toxicity, pesticides and other pollutants, which includes the New River, a binational river that originates in Mexicali, Baja California and ends at the Salton Sea. Several TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) are already in place for the New River to reduce trash, dissolved oxygen, bacteria and sediment impairments. EPA has also worked to improve water quality in the New River through investments in wastewater treatment projects in Mexicali, which have resulted in significant improvements in dissolved oxygen and bacteria impairments.

“Clean water is vital to California's public health, economy, recreation and wildlife - now more than ever during our extreme drought,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “EPA is working alongside the state as it continues the critical efforts needed to protect and restore California's damaged waters.”