urban waterways – Aquarius-Systems

DC Water Launches Two New Trash Hunter Boats to Clean the Anacostia River

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:16:22 +0000

Two new Trash Hunters launched by DC Water this week will help scoop up floating trash and debris from the Anacostia River, making the waterways cleaner and more enjoyable.

These boats a big investment by DC Water to reclaim our rivers. They will literally be pulling tons of trash out of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers as we continue to improve the health of each river while reacquainting our community with how beautiful – and important – these waterways are.

DC Water pioneered the skimmer boat cleaning process back in 1992. The program has been an enormous success, with 300-500 tons of trash removed from the waterways of the District of Columbia every year.

Wisconsin “Adopt-a-River” Program Teams Up With River Skimmer to Remove Trash

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:46:20 +0000

This adoption program requires just three days of personal, hands-on time annually and a commitment of no more than two years.

Businesses and community groups are being asked to volunteer for a first-ever “adopt-a-river” program in Wisconsin and remove trash along the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers and their tributaries, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Executive Director Kevin Shafer said.

Garbage pollutes the water and degrades habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife, Shafer said.

The program works alongside the district’s 50-foot-long river skimmer. The skimmer, named Lynyrd Skymmr as a tribute to southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd in a 2011 contest, hit the water Tuesday for the first time this year under the command of Capt. Scott Cassavant.

His crews pull garbage, debris and navigation hazards out of the rivers near downtown.

The Titan Series® Skimmer Takes on New York City’s Toughest Waters

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:24:07 +0000

Watching our boats at work never gets old—but seeing The Titan framed by the massive skyline of Brooklyn is something special. The scale says it all: a powerful, purpose-built vessel operating confidently in one of the most demanding urban waterfronts in the world. It’s a reminder that even in a city defined by its size and energy, thoughtful solutions can quietly make a big impact.

Built specifically for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, The Titan is a marine debris skimmer engineered to perform in tough conditions, including Sea State 4. Designed for ports, harbors, and coastal areas exposed to wind, waves, and heavy traffic, it delivers reliable debris removal where lighter equipment simply won’t hold up. It’s a practical, hard-working solution for keeping busy waterways cleaner—no matter how harsh the environment.

EPA Announces $1.8 Million in Urban Waters Grants for Waterway Restoration

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:11:32 +0000

Release Date: 12/07/2011
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355; En español: Lina Younes, younes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it will provide up to $1.8 million for projects across the country to protect Americans’ health and help restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. The funding is part of EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land. Urban waters are canals, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, bays and oceans.

Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by sewage, runoff from city streets and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational, employment and social opportunities in nearby communities. By promoting public access to urban waterways, EPA will help communities become active participants in restoration and protection.

The goal of EPA’s urban waters small grants is to fund projects, training and research that will advance restoration of urban waters by improving water quality and community access. These activities will also support community revitalization and improving public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents. Examples of projects eligible for funding may include:

– Education and training for water quality improvement or green infrastructure jobs
– Public education about ways to reduce water pollution
– Local water quality monitoring programs
– Engaging diverse stakeholders to develop local watershed plans
– Innovative projects that promote local water quality and community revitalization goals

Funding proposals must be received by EPA by January 23, 2012. EPA will hold two web-based seminars on this funding opportunity on December 14, 2011 and January 5, 2012. EPA expects to award the grants in summer 2012.

EPA’s Urban Waters program supports the goals and principles of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership of 11 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community‐led revitalization efforts to improve the nation’s water systems and promote their economic, environmental and social benefits.

The Urban Waters Federal Partnership closely aligns with and advances the work of the White House’s place‐based efforts, including the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, to revitalize communities, create jobs and improve the quality of life in cities and towns across the nation. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership also advances the work of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.

Information on the Urban Waters Federal Partnership: http://urbanwaters.gov/

Posted by Aquarius Systems