In a controversial ruling that has sparked widespread concern, the US Supreme Court has effectively cleared the way for more raw sewage to end up in the nation’s drinking water.

A 5-4 decision on March 4, 2025, has severely limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to regulate sewage discharges into rivers, lakes, and other water sources that supply millions of Americans with drinking water. Critics say the ruling weakens protections under the Clean Water Act, allowing cities and industries to release more untreated waste into waterways with fewer restrictions.

The case centred on San Francisco’s wastewater treatment practices, but the consequences extend nationwide. The city, like many others, operates a combined sewer system that frequently overflows during heavy rains, leading to raw sewage being dumped into the ocean and connected waterways. The EPA had previously imposed broad prohibitions on such discharges to protect water quality, but the Supreme Court’s decision now limits the agency’s ability to enforce these measures.

In a courtroom judgement, Justice Samuel Alito  argued that the EPA must set specific, numerical discharge limits rather than imposing general water quality standards. However, environmental groups warn that this decision could significantly reduce oversight, allowing higher levels of contaminants—including bacteria, viruses, and toxic chemicals—to flow into sources of drinking water.

The ruling is part of a broader pattern of Supreme Court decisions that have weakened federal environmental protections in recent years. Without clear enforcement mechanisms, experts say more communities could see their drinking water supplies contaminated with untreated sewage and industrial pollutants. Vulnerable populations, particularly in low-income and rural areas, are expected to bear the brunt of the consequences.

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