The Division of Water has posted new announcements on its webpage. Go to the Division of Water webpage (www.dec.ny.gov/about/661.html) to read the latest information.

Special Water Week Edition

50th Anniversary of the Pure Waters Bond Act

Celebrate Water Week by learning more about the history of water quality management in New York and how you can help protect, restore and conserve water for the future!

Today's topic:  New York Led the Way in 1965

Did you know?

Governor Rockefeller first outlined the Pure Waters Program in 1964 with a bold proposal that the people of New York State spend $1 billion, possibly more, to clean up their lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.  In November, 1965, New Yorkers voted four to one to approve the billion dollar bond issue.  This approval launched the largest and most comprehensive water pollution control program in the world.  To put this in perspective, today $1 billion would be equal to $7.5 billion.  New York's Pure Waters Program laid the groundwork for the federal Clean Water Act that was adopted in 1972.

Test your water knowledge (see below for answers)

1) In 1965, what department was given the "responsibility for carrying out the people's mandate to cleanse the waters of the Empire State"?

2) What was the billion dollars primarily used for?

Learn more

On DEC's website, you can find information about:

• Water Week, including the topics that will be covered the rest of the week
• Ways to keep water clean and be a water steward
• Water Quality Improvement Project Program
• NYS DEC/EFC wastewater infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant

 

 

 

Answers:  1) The State Health Department, which created the Division of Pure Waters, was the first department responsible for implementing the Pure Waters Program and the 1965 Bond Act.  The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation was not established until July 1, 1970.  2) The Bond Act was used primarily for the construction of municipal waste treatment facilities.