The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Monday applauded the Berks County Commissioners for adopting a Clean Water Counts! resolution, calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Keystone State.
Berks County joins Westmoreland, Wyoming and York counties in passing Clean Water Counts! resolutions.
“Healthy families, strong communities, and a thriving Pennsylvania economy depend on clean water,” said Harry Campbell, CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director. “We applaud and thank the Commissioners of Berks County for publicly voicing their support for clean water in the Keystone State.”
CBF embarked on the Clean Water Counts campaign in response to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) most recent statewide surface waters assessment. The results show that of the 86,000 miles of waterways flowing through the Commonwealth, nearly 20,000 miles are polluted. They also reported that the top pollution sources are agricultural activities, abandoned mine drainage, and runoff from urban and suburban communities.
Through public education and engagement, CBF is urging state officials to make clean water a priority and to commit the needed funding and programs to ensure that the waters that we rely on for drinking and household uses, recreation, and to grow our food, all meet clean water standards.
In addition to calling on local officials to pass resolutions, CBF is also asking something of citizens.
“We’re asking all Pennsylvania residents to show their support for clean water by signing the Clean Water Counts online petition,” said Campbell. “It takes only a few minutes, but your signature will go a long way toward demonstrating the importance of clean water to our elected officials.”
Online petition signatures will be accepted through October 18th, the anniversary of the Clean Water Act. To learn more about the campaign go to CBF’s Clean Water Counts! webpage.