Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Energy and Utilities Law

Water law

Pace Environmental Law Review

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Law

The Safe Drinking Water / Food Law Nexus, Margot J. Pollans Oct 2015

The Safe Drinking Water / Food Law Nexus, Margot J. Pollans

Pace Environmental Law Review

At 2 AM on August 2, 2014, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued the following warning to the citizens of Toledo: “Do Not Drink.” The Ohio City's tap water was contaminated with microcystin, a toxin that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abnormal liver function. The source was an algal bloom in Lake Erie resulting from high levels of agricultural fertilizers and animal waste. For three days, Toledo residents drank only bottled water.

This is just one of many similar examples of agricultural contamination of urban drinking water supplies. Creating a physical connection between urban and rural communities, this pollution highlights …