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EPA Recognizes Philadelphia Water Department for ‘Extraordinary Actions’ to Protect Watershed

Release Date: 4/1/2003
Contact Information: Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented the Philadelphia Water Department with a Clean Water Partners award for taking “extraordinary actions” to protect watersheds.

“The Philadelphia Water Department has a long history of working to protect and improve local watersheds with innovative projects that exemplify the positive impact local governments have in protecting our nation’s waters,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

The Philadelphia Water Department was among 79 organizations and municipalities selected nationwide as Clean Water Partners. The program is part of EPA’s celebration of the Year of Clean Water. EPA Administrator Christie Whitman and Assistant Administrator G. Tracy Mehan III presented the award during ceremonies today.

The Philadelphia Water Department’s Office of Watersheds seeks innovative solutions to preserving and protecting local waterways and watersheds with programs such as its drinking water source protection program; low impact urban re-development projects; the Green City program; and the Fairmount fish ladder.

Applications for the awards were announced in the Federal Register in April 2002. Each applicant had to complete a compliance screening and was reviewed by a panel including EPA, the Water Environment Federation, Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) and National League of Cities.