PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 1, 2003 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented the Hampton Roads Sanitation District with a Clean Water Partners award for taking "extraordinary actions" to protect watersheds.
"The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) has a long history of working to protect and improve local watersheds with innovative projects that exemplify the positive impact local governments play in protecting our nation's waters," said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA's mid-Atlantic region.
One of several initiatives that got HRSD the recognition is the district's summer boating program to encourage boaters to use pumpout facilities rather than dumping their wastewater in the waterways. Under the "Pump It, Don't Dump It!" public information campaign, boaters were encouraged to schedule free pumpouts at marinas and in other locations provided by specially trained college students.
HRSD was also recognized for its Elizabeth River restoration project; a scholarship for a full-time graduate student; an oyster restoration project; and participation in the biosolids environmental management system program.
Each summer, approximately 6,000 gallons of wastewater is collected from boats and transported to an HRSD plant for treatment, the district reported.
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District 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 awards during ceremonies today.
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.
About HRSD
HRSD, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, was created by public referendum in 1940 and currently serves a combined population of 1.5 million in 17 cities and counties. Our mission is to prevent pollution, protect public health, and support community development by providing wastewater collection, treatment, and related services.
