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WaterNews for April 20, 2005Benjamin Grumbles WaterNews is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water. In This Week’s WaterNews:
EPA Celebrates Earth DayTo celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2005, and 35 years of progress in environmental and human health protection, EPA will hold events across the country from April 22 - 29. On April 22, in Washington, D.C., the Office of Water will sponsor a cleanup along Rock Creek Park, and Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, will participate in a luncheon honoring the President’s Environmental Youth Awards winners in the Mellon Auditorium at Federal Triangle. EPA has redesigned the Earth Day website for the 35th anniversary of Earth Day to include a virtual "Take-Home Kit" with a variety of educational materials, and a list of events happening in your area. Visit the Earth Day website at http://www.epa.gov/earthday/. Office of Water Eecognizes Agencies for Successfully Implementing EMSIn January, Assistant Administrator Benjamin Grumbles, James Connaughton, chairman of the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and others participated in a ceremony honoring nine local governments that have implemented environmental management systems (EMS) for their operations. This is the third group of agencies that have participated in Office of Water's EMS training program for local governments since 1997. Environmental management systems provide organizations with a powerful and flexible way to assess the environmental impacts of their operations and set measurable goals for reducing these impacts over time. Each participating agency has identified significant benefits from implementing their EMS, including cost savings, improved relations with communities and regulatory agencies, and better environmental performance. A final report on the results of this project, including more information on the benefits, costs, and challenges faced by each participating agency will be available this summer. For more information, contact Jim Horne at horne.james@epa.gov or (202) 564-0571. Arsenic Treatment Technology Training in April and MayThe Office of Water will host five Arsenic treatment technology training events in April and May of 2005. A technical training curriculum is being designed to incorporate treatment technology case studies as well as design criteria and approval issues. EPA will provide tools to state and consulting engineers to improve their technical assistance to systems and to provide system owners and operators with the ability to better communicate with engineers and technology vendors. Training events will be held in the following cities: April 25-26 - Phoenix, AZ You can find more information, including registration, a detailed agenda, and logistics at www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html or contact Jennifer Moller at 202-564-3891. Creation of a National Water Efficiency OrganizationThe Office of Water in cooperation with the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC) is looking into options for a new national organization to promote water efficiency. EPA and CUWCC are developing the framework for a national partnership on water use efficiency similar to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. Many water stakeholders see a need for a nationwide water efficiency organization that can develop cross-state initiatives, conduct needed water efficiency research, coordinate water efficiency project partners, and in general serve as a clearinghouse for water efficiency progress and cutting-edge change. To design a program that best meets the needs of the water and related industries, information is being gathered in a variety of ways, including a series of workshops next month: May 17 - Seattle Representatives from water and wastewater utilities, manufacturers of water-using products, environmental organizations, builders and developers, and interested government agencies are invited to attend. For registration information, contact Jeffrey Hughes at jeffrey@cuwcc.org. The final report is due in December, 2005. Subscribe to WaterNewsPlease forward this message to your friends and colleagues who share an interest in water-related issues and would like to hear from EPA's Office of Water. To subscribe to the WaterNews listserve: Send an email message, leave the subject line blank, and address it to: In the body of the message write: Subscribe WaterNews firstname lastname (Please leave one blank space between each word, do not include any other message, and use your actual name- i.e. Subscribe WaterNews Robert Jones) A welcome message will appear in your email box once you are officially subscribed.
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