SAN JOSE
– The Santa Clara Valley Water District has won recognition from
the United States Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts
to protect Santa Clara County’s watersheds.
SAN JOSE – The Santa Clara Valley Water District has won recognition from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts to protect Santa Clara County’s watersheds.
The EPA has designated the water district as a “Clean Water Partner for the 21st Century,” noting it has pursued protection efforts that go beyond federal requirements.
“I’m proud the federal government has honored the Santa Clara Valley Water District for its outstanding work in reducing pollution and improving water quality,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose).
The district demonstrated several watershed protection activities to be considered for the status, including:
• Its role in the Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative, a public-private coalition that developed a basin-wide watershed action plan. It was recognized in 2001 by Gov. Gray Davis as one of the top 10 watershed efforts in California.
• Its voluntary scientific evaluation of metals in south San Francisco Bay in partnership with the city of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Urban Pollution Prevention Program.
• Public outreach campaigns such as the Adopt-a-Creek program and the “Watershed Watch.”
The district is one of 79 nationally and five in California that gained recognition from the EPA.
