WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 20, 2008 -- Top officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District of Columbia Departments of Environment and Public Works, the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) gathered on the banks of the Anacostia River Oct. 16 to observe the 36th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and to hear about the successes our nation's capital has had in addressing the clean water challenges facing cities across the nation. Americans can celebrate progress in meeting the water quality goals over the past 36 years while acknowledging that communities continue to face the ongoing and costly challenges of aging and ailing infrastructure, a growing population, changes in precipitation brought on by climate change, and increased stormwater runoff.
Washington, D.C., is an example of a city working to restore its urban watershed with a combination of infrastructure improvements and innovative stormwater management. The benefits of these successes include a revitalized Anacostia River and waterfront and improvements to Chesapeake Bay water quality
"The Clean Water Act is 36 and going strong, leading the way for sustainable solutions to the most pressing problems facing America's rivers and watersheds. Today, EPA, the District of Columbia, and our many partners are making real progress in the nation's capital, controlling sewer overflows and reducing stormwater pollution through innovative projects and green technologies," Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water, said. "The Anacostia River will be one of the greatest urban river revivals in the nation's history and set a shining example for other communities on how to increase stewardship, grow responsibly, and adapt to climate change."
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