February 7, 2006

 

The first quarterly 2006 National Water Division Directors meeting was held Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2006 in Santa Monica, Calif. The EPA water experts met to discuss innovative ways to restore and protect our nation’s waters through sustainable infrastructure, wetlands conservation and new technologies.

As part of this year’s meeting, Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles toured the city of Santa Monica’s Urban Runoff Recycling Facility, or SMURFF.

“This state-of-the-art facility sends a strong message to beach lovers and communities across America: even runoff can be a resource if you get creative and stay committed,” said Assistant Administrator Grumbles. “The SMURFF reduces, recycles and reuses urban runoff to protect coasts and swimmers and conserve clean water. EPA thinks that should be the clean wave of the future.”

Santa Monica’s Director of Environmental and Public Works Management Craig Perkins led Assistant Administrator Grumbles on a tour of the high-tech water runoff recycling facility.