WLSSD Invites the Community to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
WLSSD Invites the Community to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
DULUTH, MN – Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) is celebrating 50 years of clean water by marking the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972 with a community open house on Tuesday, October 18th from 5-7:30 p.m. at WLSSD’s 27th Avenue West campus in Duluth. The event will feature food, games & prizes, and educational activities suitable for all ages. WLSSD will be offering facility tours for those who preregister by calling 218-722-3336. Virtual (video) tours will also be available for viewing at the event.
“The Clean Water Act set into motion a national focus on improving water quality including the funding necessary to support these efforts. The goals of the Clean Water Act have been foundational to the work we do at WLSSD everyday”, said Executive Director Marianne Bohren. The CWA was implemented to improve water quality in US waterways; as a result, WLSSD has been cleaning wastewater to help recover and protect the vitality of the St. Louis River, along with state and local efforts, since 1978.
The Minnesota legislature established WLSSD in May 22, 1971 under MN §458D.03, Subd. and WLSSD began operating its advanced wastewater treatment plant 7 years later. Prior to its opening, untreated and under-treated sewage was discharged into the St. Louis River from cities and industries, causing serious pollution problems in the river. Soon after WLSSD began operations, water quality in the river noticeably improved and the native fishery was on the rebound. Today, residents and visitors safely enjoy the river for recreational fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and other activities.
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention. Governed by a nine-member citizen board, WLSSD is a special purpose subdivision of the State of Minnesota. The district’s 530-square-mile service area includes the cities of Duluth, Cloquet, Carlton, Scanlon, Wrenshall, Hermantown, Proctor, Rice Lake and Thomson and eight surrounding townships.