WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 6, 2008 -- Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District of Columbia, the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation recently met along the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., for a news conference to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the U.S. Clean Water Act.
The groups gathered to highlight the progress made by the District of Columbia in revitalizing urban corridors challenged by degraded water quality caused by aging infrastructure, stormwater runoff and sewer overflows. The D.C. Department of Public Works displayed one of its fleet of Elgin Sweeper Pelicans at the event, highlighting its contribution to stormwater pollution control in the nation's capital.
Participants in the press conference reported on the actions taken by the District of Columbia to reduce the pollution entering the Anacostia River, such as upgrading infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows, converting paved areas to green space, investing in green roofs, and implementing enhanced street sweeping and trash removal programs.
"Every year, the Department of Public Works sweeps up five-and-a-half million pounds of grease, oil and debris from District streets," said Michael A. Carter, Deputy Director, D.C. Department of Public Works. "This is one of the best ways to keep pollutants from contaminating the district's waterways and, ultimately, our marine life and drinking water supply." The D.C. Department of Public Works recently upgraded their sweeper fleet with 20 new Pelican machines from Elgin Sweeper.
Doug Siglin, federal affairs director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said, "Every improvement made in D.C. improves the overall water quality in the Chesapeake Bay."
George S. Hawkins, the director of the D.C. District Department of the Environment, said, "It's time to celebrate our victories in this effort of the community, society and the nation." Hawkins also recognized the role street sweepers have played in reducing pollutant discharges into waterways in D.C. "Machines like this are part of our stormwater permit requirements under the Clean Water Act."
"The Anacostia River will be one of the greatest urban river revivals in the nation's history," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, the assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Water. "It will set a shining example for other communities on how to increase stewardship, grow responsibly, and adapt to climate change."
Grumbles added, "Preventing pollution on land, including removing trash from our streets, is a key step in preventing pollution in our waterways."
Elgin Sweeper offers municipalities, contractors and industries sweeper options using the latest sweeping technologies -- mechanical, pure vacuum, regenerative air, alternative fuel and waterless dust control.
###
