The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting water quality in the Great Lakes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a central role in safeguarding the water quality of the Great Lakes. As a federal agency, the EPA works to reduce pollution, enforce water quality standards, and manage cleanup efforts in the lakes. It collaborates with local, state, and tribal authorities to address issues like invasive species, nutrient runoff, and hazardous waste. Through initiatives like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the EPA focuses on improving the health of these vital bodies of water, which are crucial to the environment, economy, and communities around the Great Lakes region.