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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2002
Contacts:
Clean Water Month:
Shelly Quick, Environmental Scientist, Division of Water Quality, (801) 538-6146
Statewide Water Quality Issues:
Don Ostler, Director, Division of Water Quality, (801) 538-6146
(Salt Lake City, UT) - Utah is taking part in a national celebration to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act. Gov. Mike Leavitt has signed a declaration establishing October 2002 as "Clean Water Month" and 2002 as the "Year of Clean Water." The celebration marks a milestone in the efforts to protect the nation's and Utah's water resources.
During the month of October, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is joining with volunteers, citizen groups, schools and other agencies to participate in a National Water Monitoring Day. Also, a group from Provo High School has been invited by America's Clean Water Foundation to represent Utah at the Youth Watershed Summit in Maryland.
"The Clean Water Act is the single most important piece of federal legislation that has stopped raw sewage and industrial discharges to lakes and streams and has required discharge permits," said Shelly Quick, environmental scientist in the Utah Division of Water Quality. "In Utah, more than 1,100 permits to control pollution discharges have been issued, and water quality has been maintained and improved in spite of substantial population growth."
The U.S. Congress enacted the federal Clean Water Act in 1972. The Act calls for measures to not only prevent water pollution but also to clean up water that has already been polluted. In 1953, the Utah Legislature enacted one of the first water quality laws in the nation - the Utah Water Pollution Control Act. This Act created a Water Quality Board to address pollution problems, established water quality standards, allowed for classification of waters according to uses and required treatment of waste discharges from municipalities and industries.
"Utah was a pioneer in recognizing the need to protect and preserve the state's water resources. It was one of the first states to achieve secondary treatment of sewage in every community," said Don Ostler, director of the Utah Division of Water Quality.
During the past 30 years, Utah has achieved a number of milestones that have greatly contributed to better water quality for all Utahns. For example,
Clean Water Month also promotes individual responsibility, encouraging all citizens to take care of and protect water resources for current and future generations. DEQ applauds the good efforts of citizens and environmental groups that are working to mitigate damage to streams and lakes.
"What each of us does on a daily basis affects water quality. Therefore, we are all part of the solution by preventing water pollution. It can be as simple as keeping trash out of our water bodies, planting drought-tolerant plants and becoming a water conservationist," Quick said.
A copy of the clean water declaration signed by Gov. Leavitt is available on the DEQ Web site at www.deq.utah.gov.
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