FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Indiana is celebrating clean water on Saturday's 42nd anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

Conservation groups around the nation say it's been 42 years since Congress voted to mandate clean water protections. An EPA proposal runs through mid-November to strengthen the law by protecting two million miles of small streams and wetlands. The efforts are geared to better protect the drinking water supply for more than one third of all Americans.

The Hoosier Environmental Council is backing the EPA on their proposal. A public comment period will run through mid-November and it's estimated that more than 700,000 people have already sent in their comments, supporting the proposal.