City Officials Unanimously Agree to Sign Partnership Resolution to Join the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership

Frederick, Md. --- On September 16, 2004, The City of Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen unanimously agreed to sign the Partnership Resolution to join the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership.

The City of Frederick is within the Potomac River watershed and is a water utility that relies on the Potomac River as source water. Many people have a common interest in protecting the river for both environmental purposes and to protect the water supply. The regulators and water users have come together to complement each other and enhance their effectiveness for source water protection by working together as partners.

This is a cooperative and voluntary partnership working towards improving source water protection of the Potomac River in recognition of the vital role of the river in supplying drinking water to millions of people within the Potomac River watershed.

On September 24, 2004, at the Little Seneca Reservoir at Black Hill Regional Park, the Partnership will officially be formed, with The City of Frederick as one of the members. Regulatory authorities that will also become members include, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency region III, Maryland Department of the Environment, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Washington D.C. Department of Health, West Virginia Health and Human Resources, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Other water utilities that have agreed to join are the City of Hagerstown, MD, the City of Rockville, MD, Fairfax Water, Town of Leesburg, VA, Washington Aqueduct, & Washington County, MD.

This partnership will provide much leadership and guidance to the region. The members have already met to decide priority items and to start planning for the future.

For more information, please contact Sandy Webb, CIP Water Now Team Attorney, The City of Frederick at 301-629-6253 or swebb@cityoffrederick.com.