On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a new, user friendly website to allow anyone to look up water quality and pollution violations of their local waterways and drinking water sources.

How's My Waterway? Presents EPA Water Quality Data in Plain Language How's My Waterway? was developed to interpret and present the data EPA collects from the states and territories every two years on 34 different pollution categories and the state of local waterways, as well as summarize any resulting action plans.

"EPA's national information system on water quality assessments -- ATTAINS -- is a technical database designed for specialized scientific and technical uses. For many years, EPA has compiled valuable nationwide information in ATTAINS on the condition of healthy and polluted waterways, gathered through Clean Water Act assessment and reporting by States and territories... ...Without being experts in water quality or databases, people have needed an easier way to learn about their local waters, their pollution problems and why they matter, and what's being done to improve conditions. Faced with a baffling array of scientific information and a complex technical database, an average citizen might say, 'All I really want to know is, how's MY waterway? And please tell me in words I understand."

While not a native mobile device app, How's My Waterway? is a website designed with mobile users in mind. It's clean, simple interface loads quickly on tablets and mobile devices. Should a user want more information, the technical reports upon which How's My Water Way? is based are linked from within each relevant section.

"America's lakes, streams and rivers are national treasures. Communities and neighborhoods across the U.S. want to know that their local lakes, rivers and streams are healthy and safe to enjoy with their families", said Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Water. This new app provides easy, user-friendly access to the health of a waterway, whether it is safe for swimming and fishing, and what is being done about any reported problems. People can get this information whether researching at a desktop or standing streamside looking at a smart phone. Change begins with awareness and How's My Waterway? is a solid step in the right direction.