Law & Policy

Enforcing the Clean Water Act for drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water in Tennessee.

Scroll down to learn how Law & Policy works to protect Tennessee waters

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Clean Water Policy

Monitoring and enforcing water pollution control for drinkable, fishable, and swimmable waters in Tennessee.

Scroll down to learn how Law & Policy works to protect Tennessee waters

"Rainbow pollution” by gambier20 © 2007.

Made available under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.

We protect water through policy and litigation

TCWN monitors industrial and municipal compliance with state and federal law. We comment on water permits and bring lawsuits to hold polluters accountable. 

Tennessee waters are special

  • The Hatchie River (West Tennessee) is the longest free-flowing tributary of the lower Mississippi River. 
  • The Stones River Watershed (Middle Tennessee) contains sixty-nine documented rare plant and animal species, including eight rare fish species.
  • The Clinch and Powell rivers (East Tennessee) are considered the only ecologically intact (undammed) headwaters of the Tennessee River system. 
fish in water

fish in water

men working

men working

fish underwater

fish underwater

driver and turtle

driver and turtle

girl swimming

girl swimming

Water Quality Threats
Half of Tennessee streams are polluted. 
Nearly three-fifths of Tennessee's original wetlands have been lost.
Each year, our state legislature attempts to weaken water quality protections.

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To address threats to Tennessee water quality,
TCWN Law & Policy focuses on several standing priorities.
Standing Priorities
Biodiversity
Coal & Climate Change
Farm Program Policy
Industrial Dischargers
Nitrogen & Phosphorus Pollution
Tennessee State Legislature
Wetlands
All TCWN Litigation
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Report a Water Quality Concern

TCWN responds to civic water quality complaints.

Use our online form to report a water quality concern.

Resources

Our federal and state environmental laws were designed for public involvement. By using the links below, learn how and why to be a water advocate. Join TCWN to work alongside like-minded people. 

TCWN Advocacy Portal
Enforcement Report Archives
Join TCWN

Tennessee Clean Water Network © 2021

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