I. Action aimed at coping with present and future water resource problems in the Potomac Basin as well as contributing strongly to scenic, ecological, and recreational values:
A. An effective water pollution control program is the key to the public's use and enjoyment of the Basin's rivers and streams. Programs are currently under way which will result in continued progress toward enhancing the quality of these waters. The Secretary of the Interior has approved water quality standards for the interstate waters of the Potomac Basin submitted by the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia which call for accelerated remedial programs. Standards submitted by Virginia are currently under review to assure that they will contain comparable requirements. Achievement of the goals established by these standards will require expanded support in the form of legislation, funding, technology, and public awareness to insure their effective implementation.
1. To control organic, chemical, and bacterial pollution of the Potomac River system and achieve compliance with the water quality standards, a program of both immediate and long-run action will be essential:
a. During the next five years a series of actions must be taken to control the Basin's most immediate pollution problems:
(1) Coordination of Federal, State and local powers, in cooperation with any Basin compact commission or other agency that may be established, to achieve waste treatment measures as required in appropriate standards and comparable levels for intrastate waters. This will call for removal of at least 85 percent of the organic load, or its equivalent, from all municipal and industrial wastes throughout the Basin, besides adequate chlorination of all treated wastes, except that in the Washington metropolitan area at least 90 percent removal will be required because of the volume of wastes involved and their effects upon the estuary. The means toward these goals will consist of new plant construction, additions to existing plants, and control of combined sewer overflows. Regional or watershed approaches to the extension or improvement of these systems should be encouraged. Improved collection systems and treatment facilities also must be supported by effective training, certification and supervision of operators of the sewerage systems of all jurisdictions.
(2) Stimulation of effective action toward meeting similar requirements in handling wastes at all Federal establishments in the Basin, consistent with the nationwide program called for by the Water Pollution Control Executive Order. Where possible, wastes from Federal establishments should be channeled into municipal sewer systems. Adequate budgets for waste disposal at such establishments are a prime necessity, so that Federal agencies will be the pace setters that they must be.
(3) Immediate reconvening of the 1957 Enforcement Conference on the Potomac to focus attention on the timetables for controlling pollution in the estuary in the light of water quality standards and also to consider problems of agricultural pollution, sediment, nutrients, dredging and vessel wastes.
(4) Strengthening of the continuing surveillance program on all streams in the Basin to insure compliance with water quality standards and to help correct abuses from leaks, spills, and illegal or accidental polluting discharges. Active participation by local, State and interstate agencies with the Federal Government in contingency plans for spills of oil and other hazardous substances in the Basin also is required.
(5) Adoption and implementation of regulations and requirements by local and State authorities for control of pollution from boats and marinas. Legislation under consideration by the Congress would permit establishing national standards for control of pollution by vessels.