LGEAN - Water News & Updates

Water

Latest News and Updates

EPA Announces Water Quality Video Contest
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds has launched a video contest to engage the public on water quality issues and to inspire stewardship for the nation's waters. EPA will be soliciting short videos that help educate the public about water pollution and simple steps that individuals and communities can take to improve and protect water quality.

The contest will run from the beginning of March until Earth Day, April 22, 2009. Videos will be judged by a panel of experts on the basis of: creativity and originality, quality, technical accuracy, and content of message.

Two winners will be chosen: one for a short, 30 or 60 second video that is useable as a public service announcement, and another for a longer 1 to 3 minute video. Each winner will receive a $2,500 cash award, and their videos will be featured on EPA's website.

Although there have been great improvements to our nation's waters over the years thanks to the Clean Water Act, there is still a massive problem resulting from human activities on the land. This contest will help get the word out about the remaining challenges facing the nation's waters and how people and communities can help make a difference.

For more information on the video contest please go to:
www.epa.gov/owow/videocontest.html

NPS and Stormwater Outreach Conference Opens Registration
Registration is now open for the Fifth National Conference on Nonpoint Source and Stormwater Outreach May 11-14 in Portland, Oregon. The theme for this conference is "Achieving Results with Tight Budgets." Prior to the conference there are 3 full-day workshops planned on applied social assessment of water management strategies, conducting effective stormwater outreach campaigns, and evaluation systems and skill development.

Learn more about the conference, jointly sponsored by EPA and USDA CSREES, at:
www.epa.gov/nps/outreach2009

Economic Recovery Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund projects have been funded $4 billion for assistance to help communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and $2 billion for drinking water infrastructure needs. A portion of the funding is targeted towards green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmentally innovative projects. The Agency is developing grant guidance to assist states in managing the Recovery Act funding. Announcements of grants will be posted on the web to ensure transparency. The state-by-state distributions for clean water and drinking water state revolving funds are also available on-line.

For more information.

Pond/Wetland Management Guidebook
EPA just released a new guidebook that describes maintenance and inspection practices for existing wet ponds and wetlands. The guide includes checklists for use during construction and routine maintenance of ponds/wetlands, and also includes a home owner pond inspection checklist. Maintenance profile sheets describe how to address eight different common maintenance issues. The Pond/Wetland Management Guidebook is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/pondmgmtguide.pdf

A Drop Reduced, A Drop Saved: Pinellas County Utilities Named Water Efficiency Leaders

Water efficiency is critical to the growing U.S. economy and quality of life. Water Efficiency Leaders are being recognized for their contributions in reducing, reusing and recycling water through leadership, innovation and water saved. This year's winners include Pinellas County. The county is one of the most water-efficient utilities per capita at 89 gallons per person per day (gpd), versus the national average of 100 gpd. Since 1991, per capita efficiency has improved more than 40 percent.

For more information.

U.S. EPA applauds Orange County for wastewater purification / Water district's treated sewer water exceeds federal drinking water standards

The Orange County Water District is being awarded the prestigious Water Efficiency Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of the district's leadership in wastewater purification for groundwater replenishment.

For more information.

How Healthy Are America's Coasts? EPA's Environmental Assessment Provides Wellness Check-Up

The overall condition of the nation's coastal waters has improved slightly, based on a recently released environmental assessment. The National Coastal Condition Report III (NCCRIII) is the third in a series of environmental assessments of U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters.

For more information.

Issue Summary

Water pollution can hurt our ability to use water in our homes, for recreation, and in commerce. It also harms other forms of life. Local governments can work to protect water in all its forms: on the ground, underground, and coming out of the tap through effective waste water, drinking water, and land use strategies.

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