Combined Sewer Overflows

Number: 1990-09

WHEREAS, many communities nationwide have combined sanitary and storm sewer overflows – resulting in the discharge of untreated wastewater during wet weather; and

WHEREAS, these combined sewer overflows degrade water quality and reduce or prohibit the beneficial uses of the receiving waters; and

WHEREAS, combined sewer overflows pose significant public health problems; and

WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act as well as other federal and state laws and regulations prohibit the pollution of this nation’s waters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, urges appropriate federal and state agencies to expedite combined sewer overflow corrective plans on all municipalities that currently have combined sewer problems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the use of water conservation measures as a part of combined sewer overflow control strategy to ease the problem, and save consumers and wastewater authorities money; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urge mandatory reporting to the public of combined sewer overflows to heighten awareness of this serious water quality problem.