May 7, 2009

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Angel Roman (718) 595-6600

DEP Holds 23rd Annual Water Conservation Art & Poetry Contest Award Ceremony

Event is part of Celebration of National Drinking Water Week, May 3 - 9

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today held its 23rd Annual Water Conservation Art and Poetry Contest Award Ceremony.  The winners were selected from among the entries submitted by fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students from New York City public, independent and parochial schools from each of the five boroughs.  Students created original art and composed poetry that reflects an appreciation and understanding of New York City’s water resources including water supply, wastewater treatment and the importance of water conservation. The ceremony was held at Cooper Union in the Great Hall where 460 students from 123 schools were honored. The event was attended by approximately 900 students and family members.

The award ceremony honored all participating students and is part of DEP’s celebration of National Drinking Water Week, May 3 - 9.  Borough winners, selected by a panel of judges from the City’s environmental education community, had the special honor of being called to the stage to receive their awards.

“The Art and Poetry Program raises awareness of the importance of clean, high–quality drinking water and what it takes to maintain our system and keep our watershed clean,” said Acting Commissioner Steven W. Lawitts.  “Students effectively convey educational messages through the beauty of the creative arts and I congratulate them for their efforts in helping to protect and conserve a precious resource, New York’s award-winning drinking water.” 

A highlight of the event included the presentation of a plaque to DEP for best-tasting water in the state, which was awarded to New York City at the New York State Fair. The New York State Water Taste Test is a nonscientific competition cosponsored by the State Department of Health and the New York Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to highlight the importance of one of New York’s most valuable resources – drinking water.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection manages the City’s water supply, providing more than 1.1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents throughout New York State through a complex network of nineteen reservoirs, three controlled lakes and 6,200 miles of water pipes, tunnels and aqueducts. DEP is also responsible for managing storm water throughout the City and treating wastewater at 14 in-City wastewater treatment plants. DEP carries out federal Clean Water Act rules and regulations, handles hazardous materials emergencies and toxic site remediation, oversees asbestos monitoring and removal, enforces the City's air and noise codes, bills and collects on City water and sewer accounts, and manages city-wide water conservation programs.

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