Water Environment Federation Congratulates U.S. EPA On 40th Anniversary

Water quality organization recognizes the agency's four decades of leadership and support in protecting the environment, public health

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) wishes to congratulate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on reaching its 40th anniversary and recognizes the agency's leadership and support in efforts to protect our nation's environment and public health. Since 1970, EPA has been working with states, localities, citizens, and private and public entities such as WEF to successfully tackle threats to air quality, waters and land.

"WEF has appreciated the many opportunities we have had over the years to partner with EPA on water quality initiatives spanning technical development to environmental education," said WEF President Jeanette Brown. "Commemoration of EPA's 40th anniversary is an excellent opportunity to reflect upon past successes, strive for improvements, and expand the public's knowledge of their role in protecting and preserving the global environment."

The EPA was established on December 2, 1970 in response to growing public demand for cleaner water, air and land. This effort was a result of the first Earth Day celebration earlier that year where an estimated 20 million Americans gathered to show the political leadership that there was broad and deep support for the environmental movement. The new agency was tasked with the challenging goal of repairing the damage already done to the environment and to establish guidelines to help Americans in making a cleaner and safer environment.

The Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Water Quality Improvement Act, and the Water Pollution and Control Act Amendments are just a few examples of the legislation that has been enacted into law over the past forty years in efforts to take responsibility for and protect the environment. While these milestones are great accomplishments, it is also important to recognize that an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship is vital in protecting our planet for generations to come.

"Although the environmental blights of the 1970s are now mostly past, we must all remain diligent to both preserve progress made and advance against new threats and challenges," added Brown. "WEF continues to stand ready to work with EPA and others to preserve and enhance the water environment, both in the United States and globally, through sound science and a commitment to safe and ample water resources."

Throughout the week EPA has been holding events to highlight the impact of its efforts and focus on some of the unfinished business of the environmental movement. For more information, visit www.epa.gov or www.wef.org.

About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.

SOURCE: Water Environment Federation (WEF) - WEFTEC