FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE04-55
October
5, 2004
Contact: Charles
G. Sturcken
(718) 595-6600
Department
of Environmental Protection Wins Outstanding Achievement In
Water Quality Improvement Award
New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner
Christopher O. Ward announced that DEP has been awarded the 2004 Outstanding
Achievement in Water Quality Improvement Award by the Water
Environment Federation (WEF), a national organization dedicated
to preserving and enhancing the global water environment. The WEF
presents this award annually to that organization that best demonstrates
significant, lasting and measurable excellence in water quality
improvement or in prevention of water quality degradation in a
region, basin, or water body.
DEP was selected by the Federation’s Board of Trustees
as the recipient of this year’s award. The award was based
on DEP’s work to revive and rehabilitate the Gowanus Canal
, a man-made water body in Brooklyn , New York that had over the
years experienced critical pollution problems. DEP’s efforts
included restoring and reviving the canal through installation
of a flushing tunnel that forces water from New York Harbor into
the Canal. The achievement has resulted in meeting New York State
water quality standards, reducing pollution and allowing for the
resurgence of marine life.
Commissioner Ward said, “The Gowanus Canal restoration
has been one of the major successes of my tenure at DEP. Our Bureaus
of Environmental Engineering and Wastewater Treatment worked diligently
to find ways to restore a healthy environment to this long misused
area. We very much appreciate the recognition of the WEF.”
The Award was presented to DEP on October 5 th at the WEF’s
annual conference in New Orleans . The WEF is the largest professional
organization representing the wastewater treatment industry and its
goal is the preservation of the nation’s water environment
through effective water quality management and promoting professional
public training and education programs. Its membership comprises
national and international wastewater professionals from the public,
private and commercial sectors.