The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on Oct. 16 that environmentalists say could weaken the Clean Water Act. Surprisingly, it originates from what many consider one of the greenest cities in the nation: San Francisco. In City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, San Francisco is suing the EPA over what it calls unclear restrictions on the quantity of untreated sewage that can be released into local waterways. San Francisco has argued that it cannot control the water quality in the ocean or the Bay and that being held accountable for it leaves the city vulnerable to unpredictable fines. The city and county are requesting the Supreme Court uphold the Clean Water Act, the 1972 law that governs water pollution, and ensure the EPA issues permits with clear instructions to prevent water pollution.

Related Clean Water Act articles:

• Balls and Strikes: Commentary: The Supreme Court’s next big chance to wreck the environment is here
• Bloomberg Law: High Court to take first post-Chevron look at Clean Water Act
• KNAU Arizona Public Radio: Environmentalists, state regulators grapple with uncertainty in new Clean Water Act interpretation
• Bloomberg Law: Linde accused of illegal water pollution at California plants