At the 12th Annual Chesapeake Bay and Water Quality Forum, leaders at every level of government—federal, state, and local officials—gathered to discuss the status of the Chesapeake Bay restoration and local water quality efforts.

They discussed the mounting need for local governments to do more to address threats to water quality and human health, as stormwater programs are increasingly focused on flood resiliency and water utilities are being asked to monitor for and remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals from water supplies. A common theme for the day was the importance of engaging communities about water quality issues at the local level, which is where people are most connected to water.

COG Chesapeake Bay and Water Quality Committee (CBPC) Chair and College Park Councilmember Maria Mackie facilitated the conversation, which began with remarks from U.S. EPA Region III Administrator Adam Ortiz. Ortiz shared firsthand accounts of working with various stakeholders and community members. He also explained how he has a policy of “tough love” by stepping up enforcement throughout the watershed and at wastewater treatment plants while at the same time building consensus when prioritizing the restoration of the Bay. Ortiz—who previously served as mayor of the Town of Edmonston in Prince George’s County and environmental director for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties—also stressed the importance of policy alignment within every level of government.

State, local, and water utility officials engaged in conversations about the array of water quality programs underway within their respective jurisdictions. COG's Water Resources Technical Committee Chair, Jason Papacosma of Arlington County, presented on MS4 permits (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System), which municipalities are required to obtain under the Clean Water Act, with the goal of managing pollution, preserving water quality, and lessening the environmental consequences of stormwater runoff in urban areas.

Papacosma pointed out that regulatory requirements for local stormwater management programs have expanded beyond water quality to address issues such as climate resiliency, flooding, and environmental justice, explaining that many of these issues are dynamic and locally driven and are best addressed outside of an MS4 permit. In addition, he noted that when we address local water quality, improvements in the Bay will naturally follow, emphasizing how water quality investments have the most benefit locally, but this is not always true the other way around.

Kishia Powell, WSSC Water General Manager and CEO, provided a utility perspective on managing PFAS. Her overarching message: Polluters should be held responsible for cleaning up PFAS pollution and for the increased costs local governments and water utilities incur to address PFAS; otherwise, the costs will be borne by residents.

Historic levels of water funding are insufficient to make plant upgrades for PFAS. The plant upgrades consist of piloting and installing new technologies while maintaining aging infrastructure, sustaining viable workforce wages, addressing climate and energy goals, and numerous other priorities.  

Towards the conclusion of the forum, officials shared how educational campaigns about water quality issues are pivotal.

Fairfax County Supervisor Penelope Gross highlighted the importance of public education regarding the variety of clean water initiatives being pursued by local jurisdictions. Gross believes that educating the public on the interconnectedness of our local waterways, water systems, and the Bay is critical to building support for additional projects and progress.

Lee Currey, Director of Water and Science Administration at the Maryland Department of the Environment, pointed to the importance of communicating the value of stream restoration and living shoreline projects. Takoma Park Councilmember Cara Honzak and Arlington County Board Member Libby Garvey discussed how beneficial it would be if residents could obtain easy-to-understand information on current stream conditions via a QR code or other signage.

Officials noted that the need for communication regarding PFAS should not be overlooked either. Greenbelt Council Member Judith “J” Davis noted that forever chemicals are relatively new to residents and should receive the same level of attention as climate change and resilience.

Clockwise from top left: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Director Mike Rolband and Fairfax County Supervisor Penelope Gross; U.S. EPA Region III Administrator Adam Ortiz addresses officials; CBPC Chair and College Park Councilmember Maria Mackie, Penelope Gross, and Greenbelt Council Member J Davis; Maryland Delegate Nicole Williams and J Davis.

Supervisor Gross, a trailblazer in Bay restoration efforts who served as CBPC’s founding chair in 1998, will be retiring this year, as will Council Member Davis, who has also been a member of COG's Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee since its establishment.

Officials at the forum expressed their gratitude to Gross and Davis for their impactful contributions to Chesapeake Bay restoration and water quality within their jurisdictions and pledged that they would continue to uphold and build upon their lasting legacy.