Schuylkill Partnership celebrates Drinking Water Week with awards to schools for protecting Schuylkill River

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized three Pennsylvania schools in the Schuylkill River Watershed today for developing environmental and educational projects that help to protect sources of drinking water.

Each school was presented with a Schuylkill Action Network Source Water Protection award in celebration of National Drinking Water Week. Schools receiving awards included:

* C.W. Henry Elementary School, Philadelphia
* Pennfield Middle School, Hatfield
* Temple University Ambler College, Ambler

“These schools have made valuable contributions to protect the Schuylkill River by incorporating environmentally sensitive property management practices and educational programs into their daily operations. This river is an important resource that provides drinking water for 1.5 million people,” said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

The awards were 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, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Philadelphia Water Department, Delaware River Basin Commission; conservation districts, local, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations and other non-governmental organizations.

The C.W. Henry school was selected for its work on several water projects including a seventh grade water monitoring project at the nearby Wissahickon Creek. The Pennfield Middle school was recognized for a water monitoring project at three nearby streams and for hosting a water awareness night to educate the public about community water issues. Temple University Ambler College was recognized because its Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture developed several educational storm water management projects including a wetland rain garden and green roof.