Clean Water

Businesses Leading the Way on Clean Water

Clean Water is Good for Business

ASBN’s Clean Water is Good For Business initiative assembles a broad coalition of business voices to advocate for reduced surface water pollution, better water infrastructure, and policies that increase resiliency to floods and droughts.

These campaigns are bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to shift the dialogue on water issues so that it encompasses a greater balance of business perspectives and emphasizes the importance of clean water to our economy, our environment, and our quality of life.

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Small business owners polled believe there should be regulations to protect air and water from toxic chemicals pollution. (ASBC Business Case for EPA Action on Clean Water, 2018)
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3 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released by industry into the U.S. environment each year. (ASBC, Business Case for EPA Action on Clean Water, 2018)
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50 million pounds of recognized carcinogens–cancer-causing chemicals– are released into the U.S. environment each year. (ASBC, Business Case for EPA Action on Clean Water, 2018)
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Agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water quality impacts to rivers and streams, the third-leading source for lakes, and the second-largest source of impairments to wetlands. (ASBC The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides)
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%
Small business owners polled believe there should be regulations to protect air and water from toxic chemicals pollution. (ASBC Business Case for EPA Action on Clean Water, 2018)
0
billion
3 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released by industry into the U.S. environment each year. (ASBC, Business Case for EPA Action on Clean Water, 2018)
0
billion
50 million pounds of recognized carcinogens–cancer-causing chemicals– are released into the U.S. environment each year. (ASBC, Business Case for EPA Action on Clean Water, 2018)
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%
Agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water quality impacts to rivers and streams, the third-leading source for lakes, and the second-largest source of impairments to wetlands. (ASBC The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides)

Key Initiatives

Businesses have a pivotal role to play in protecting and preserving water for our economy and a livable future. We urge you to get involved in this essential work:

Share Your Story

Polluters are pushing to prevent the Clean Water Act from protecting streams that you can’t float a boat on (loosely speaking, ones that can’t be kayaked) and virtually all wetlands. To combat this narrative, we would like to highlight stories of how specific waters are significant to the success of your business and/or the well-being of your community economically and ecologically. We are looking for stories about waters that include small streams, wetlands, waters that are downstream to small streams or wetlands, or waters that are important to you in any way.

Clean Water Resources

Our team has put together a robust list of resources, including case studies and reports that contain clear and compelling business and economic benefits for clean water policy positions. In addition, we list polling reports, White Papers on economic threats and opportunities, and more. Some of the reports you will find include: The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides; The Business Case for EPA action on clean water; The Business Case for Federal Investment in Water Infrastructure, and many more.

Clean Water News

Currently, Clean Water Is Good For Business is leading the effort to protect the Delaware River Watershed, which supplies drinking water to 5% of all Americans. To better safeguard this priceless economic and ecological resource, the initiative has established the Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee, a collaborative cross-sector mix of regional businesses.

Are you a business in Delaware, PA, NJ, or NY? Reach out to Liza Lamanna, our Manager of Agriculture Policy, to learn more about joining the Steering Committee

Clean Water Resources

These reports contain clear and compelling business and economic benefits exist for our policy positions. In fact, most of our policy positions include ones that have been painted by others as bad for business. These documents can be used to help educate policymakers and others about how policies based on sustainable principles can be good for all stakeholders, including the planet.

The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides
The Business Case for EPA action on clean water
The Business Case for Federal Investment in Water Infrastructure
The Business Case for Supporting Clean Water in the Delaware River Watershed

The Delaware River runs 330 miles from upstate New York to the Delaware Bay, providing a critical resource for New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. This report provides an overview of the economic impact this watershed has as well as the current threats that are guiding our work. Download the complete report.

Farming Systems Trial 40-Year Report

The Rodale Institute conducted a study that would use the most credible analytic methods to compare the side-by-side results of organic and conventional farming practices from a variety of perspectives and planned to share that knowledge with farmers, scientists, and policymakers. Over the last 40 years, the research has evolved and broadened, building a deeper body of information with each passing season. The study tracks the impact of different practices on the farm’s economic viability and energy usage, the nutritional quality of the food produced, the health of the soil, and the water that flows through the systems; it also measures the impact of these practices on the environment as a whole. Download the complete report.

Other Resources

Rodale Institute’s Grow Clean Water Consumer advocacy campaign highlights the link between supporting regenerative organic farmers and protecting watershed health.

Become an ambassador for the College Activation program for university students in the Delaware River Watershed

Business Forum Letter to the White House Council of Environmental Quality on PFAS Action

Market Garden Brewery – Clean Water is Good for Business Video

Polling

ASBN regularly conducts polling of small business owners nationwide. In recent years polling has covered several policy areas:

Clean Water

Small business owners recognize that clean water is crucial for their companies, and for the economy at large. Clear majorities support strong regulations to protect waterways, particularly a federal proposal currently under consideration. Read or download the complete report.

White Papers

ASBC has released several reports which take an in-depth look into important sustainability issues:

Clean Water in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: Economic Importance, Threats, and Opportunities

Water is one of our nation’s priceless resources, essential to life itself. Healthy ecosystems and a robust economy depend on plentiful, clean water — and unlike almost all other resources water has no substitute. It’s why businesses in all sectors support protecting clean water — whether as a direct component of their operations or simply to keep their communities and employees healthy. And in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB), clean water is big business. American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) has worked tirelessly to support legislation protecting and improving our clean water supplies. Read or download the complete report.

Clean Water is Good for Business Case Study: The Catskill Brewery

The Catskill Brewery is a microbrewery in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The company was founded by three friends with a mission to create a positive impact on the local economy by attracting tourists from far and wide to the place they call home. The founders are committed to making the best beer without taking a toll on the place they live and love. In their building, beliefs, and processes, Catskill’s founders and employees demonstrate how to operate with the “triple bottom line” in mind. Download the complete report.

Clean Water is Good for Business Case Study: Dock to Dish, Montauk, NY

Dock to Dish is a community-based seafood sourcing program that provides local chefs and members direct access to fresh, sustainable seafood, fully traceable to its origin and the fisher of the haul. Sean Barrett, lifelong fisherman and restaurateur, was inspired by concierge fishermen in Spain who brought their hauls to the backdoors of restaurants. Realizing this practice could be viable in the U.S., Barrett and fellow veteran seafarers established Dock to Dish. Download the complete report.

Clean Water is Good for Business Case Study: Tiny Diner, Minneapolis, MN
Clean Water is Good for Business Case Study: Hugo Neu at Kearny Point, Kearny NJ
Clean Water is Good for Business Case Study: Riverbend GreenRoofs Projects in Delaware
Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A Tool for Economic Recovery and Growth in PA

The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia makes the case that GSI is one such holistic solution. In the report, we measure the size and scale of the GSI industry in Pennsylvania, assess the trends over the last 10 years, evaluate the stormwater management needs and opportunities in urban and rural areas across the state, and provide recommendations to ensure communities across the Commonwealth can benefit from the economic, social, and environmental benefits that come with robust GSI infrastructure investments. Download the complete report.

Share Your Story

Polluters are pushing to prevent the Clean Water Act from protecting streams that you can’t float a boat on (loosely speaking, ones that can’t be kayaked) and virtually all wetlands. To combat this narrative, we would like to highlight stories of how specific waters are significant to the success of your business and/or the well-being of your community economically and ecologically. We are looking for stories about waters that include small streams, wetlands, waters that are downstream to small streams or wetlands, or waters that are important to you in any way.

Clean Water Resources

Our team has put together a robust list of resources, including case studies and reports that contain clear and compelling business and economic benefits for clean water policy positions. In addition, we list polling reports, White Papers on economic threats and opportunities, and more. Some of the reports you will find include: The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides; The Business Case for EPA action on clean water; The Business Case for Federal Investment in Water Infrastructure, and many more.

Clean Water News

Currently, Clean Water Is Good For Business is leading the effort to protect the Delaware River Watershed, which supplies drinking water to 5% of all Americans. To better safeguard this priceless economic and ecological resource, the initiative has established the Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee, a collaborative cross-sector mix of regional businesses.

Are you a business in Delaware, PA, NJ, or NY? Reach out to Liza Lamanna to learn more about joining the Steering Committee

Businesses Defending Water as a Vital Resource

Clean Water Is Good For Business believes that far more public and private emphasis must be placed on the necessity of clean water for our economy, our environment, and our quality of life. Public and private spending to improve protections for the Delaware River Watershed and others is an economic imperative.

All water resources—from streams and wetlands to rivers and lakes—are essential to a functioning environment and must be protected. This requires a collaborative, regional management approach to maintaining the local water balance, recharging aquifers, reducing water consumption, and lessening waste loads to the surrounding environment.

Investment in clean, smart water technology and other market-based solutions plays a key role in this effort, as do land conservation projects that protect and restore watershed health.

Lastly, water quality data should be rigorously collected and shared between government agencies, private entities, and the public.

Businesses Defending Water as a Vital Resource

Clean Water Is Good For Business believes that far more public and private emphasis must be placed on the necessity of clean water for our economy, our environment, and our quality of life. Public and private spending to improve protections for the Delaware River Watershed and others is an economic imperative.

All water resources—from streams and wetlands to rivers and lakes—are essential to a functioning environment and must be protected. This requires a collaborative, regional management approach to maintaining the local water balance, recharging aquifers, reducing water consumption, and lessening waste loads to the surrounding environment.

Investment in clean, smart water technology and other market-based solutions plays a key role in this effort, as do land conservation projects that protect and restore watershed health.

Lastly, water quality data should be rigorously collected and shared between government agencies, private entities, and the public.

Protecting Clean Water For A Thriving Economy

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