STATEMENT OF POLICY ON WATER POLLUTION CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES Adopted by the Board of Control of the Water Pollution Control Federation This Statement of Policy was adopted originally in 1960. Since then, revisions have been made to keep abreast of expansion and changes in the water pollution control field. Water pollution means water quality damage and consequent interference with beneficial use of a vital resource clean water. Pollution of the Nation's inland surface waters, coastal waters, and groundwaters is a continuing threat to the national health, aesthetic enjoyment, safety, and economic welfare. National survival, in terms of future urban, industrial, and commercial growth and prosperity, dictates the protection of all water resources from any acts, such as the discharging of harmful substances which cause unreasonable impairment of water quality and adversely affect their highest level of usefulness. While considerable progress has been made in pollution control by municipalities and industries, many water resources are being degraded, impaired, and damaged by such discharges and acts,. and they will be further adversely affected by the degree and pattern of population growth, industrial processing, commercial expansion, chemical usages, agricultural developments, and other technological advancements. The Water Pollution Control Federation is pledged to provide leadership and guidance to all constructive efforts that contribute to the control of water pollution. Its pledge is summarized by the following points. The discharge of all wastewater into the waters of the Nation must be 1. controlled. 2. The objectives of water pollution control must include preservation of high quality waters for protection of public health; for industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses; for fish and wildlife propagation; and for the maintenance of an aesthetically desirable environment. 3. The responsibilities for the adequate treatment and control of wastewater must be assumed individually and jointly by industry and local, state, interstate, and federal governments. 4. The administration of water pollution control must be firm and effective and should remain in the hands of state and interstate water pollution control agencies. Regulatory agencies must be supported by adequate budgets and fully staffed by competent engineers, scientists, and supporting personnel. 5. Federal, state, and local laws and practices must reflect the changing needs in order to obtain and maintain the most economical and effective means for financing the construction, management, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment works. 6. The public must be made fully aware of the consequences of water pollution and the costs of its control. Only in this way can the public be prepared to sponsor and support sound water pollution control measures. 7. Basic and applied research by competent personnel must be encouraged by broad efforts to develop new knowledge that will solve water pollution problems. 8. Wastewater represents an increasing fraction of the Nation's total water resources and should be reclaimed for beneficial reuse. To this end the development and application of methods for wastewater reclamation must be accelerated. 9. Mandatory certification or licensing of adequately trained and properly compensated personnel must be encouraged as a requirement for maximum effectiveness of treatment facilities. The Water Pollution Control Federation was established in 1928 as a non-profit, technical membership organization. Its objectives are to advance the fundamental and practical knowledge of all aspects of water pollution control by the dissemination of technical knowledge through publications, technical conferences, improvement of the professional status of those engaged in the field, promotion of public understanding and participation, and encouragement of the adoption and implementation of sound regulations aimed toward effective water pollution control. The more than 22,000 member-subscribers in more than 79 countries throughout the world receive the JOURNAL and HIGHLIGHTS on a monthly basis. Member associations represent Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and all of the 50 United States. Publishers of: • JOURNAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FEDERATION • HIGHLIGHTS with DEEDS AND DATA for wastewater collection system and treatment plant personnel • Manuals of Practice • Operator Training Aids • Safety Promotional Materials • Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Water Pollution Research • Other Special Publications 10M-11-70 For Further Information Contact: WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FEDERATION 3900 Wisconsin Ave. Washington, D. C. 20016 Telephone: (202) 362-4100 PRINTED IN THE USA |