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Students Recognized For Protecting Drinking Water Sources

Release Date: 05/09/2012
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548 [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA (May 9, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized three elementary and middle schools and one college in the Schuylkill River Watershed today for their environmental projects which help educate the public about the value of protecting sources of drinking water.

The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) Drinking Water Scholastic Awards were presented to recipients at the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, in Ambler, Pa. in celebration of National Drinking Water Week, May 6-12, 2012.

“Education plays an enormous part in protecting and restoring the Schuylkill watershed,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Schools in the watershed are educating students about pollution sources and environmental protection, and the students in turn are educating their families and friends.”

Awards were given to the following schools:
• Sandy Run Middle School in Dresher, Pa.
• Spring-Ford Intermediate School, Royersford, Pa.
• Limerick Elementary School, Royersford, Pa.
• Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa.

The schools each took a unique approach to educating the students and community about source water protection such as removing invasive species, replanting native trees, coordinating a watershed day, rain harvesting to reduce the school’s dependence on the public water supply and coordinating a stormwater attitude and education survey.

The awards are presented on behalf of the Schuylkill Action Network, which was formed in 2003 to create a team approach to cleaning up and protecting the Schuylkill River and its tributaries. Members include EPA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia Water Department, Delaware River Basin Commission, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, conservation districts, local, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations and other non-governmental organizations.

The Schuylkill River and its tributaries provide drinking water to 1.5 million people who live in the 11 counties and 232 municipalities included in the watershed.

Source water is the water in streams, lakes or underground aquifers which when treated is used for public drinking water. The Schuylkill River and its tributaries are an important source of drinking water and fish habitat. For more information on the SAN, visit: www.schuylkillwaters.org/.