The Hoosic and its humans are getting along a little better now. Like many rivers in the United States, the Hoosic is cleaner today than it has been since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Some old contaminants remain, and there are still sources of pollution, but overall, the dumping-ground habit has finally changed. This was largely because of state and Federal clean-water laws, including the Clean Water Act of 1972. Illegal dumping can result in heavy fines. These fines are sometimes used to benefit the river in some way, such as restoring river habitat. Industries and towns are now more careful about disposing of their waste. One of the biggest remaining causes of pollution is US! That is, ordinary people who are careless about what washes into the river from our yards, driveways, sidewalks, and streets.