Division of Water Quality

The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has incorporated several strategies in its support of environmental conservation (sustainability) activities.

DWQ emphasizes recycling a wide range of materials at its central and regional offices.  Recycled items include paper, newspaper, aluminum, cardboard, laser printing cartridges, plastic.

DWQ optimizes opportunities to substitute digital technology and electronic communication for the more environmentally taxing chemistry-based photoprocessing and paper-based documentation.  All offices have digital cameras and are encouraged to use them for enforcement and other photo documentation.  The new DWQ newsletter is electronically distributed, keeping it accessible to employees without creating reams of discarded paper.  When paper documentation is necessary, the division has directed staff to use double-sided printing and copying whenever possible.

DWQ organizes carpools for transportation to meetings, hearings and other events whenever possible.

DWQ recognizes that more needs to be done to achieve its goals of environmental conservation.  Plans to increase DWQ’s sustainability performance include: increase employee awareness about good conservation habits, create opportunities for regional office personnel to work toward sustainability with staff from other divisions that share regional office space, and be more vigilant with current programs.