On October 18, 2012, the Clean Water Act turned 40. This landmark legislation has led to tremendous progress in the restoration of America's waterways through a legal framework that continues to guide our efforts to protect the nation's water resources for future generations.

MDE kicked off its year-long, 40th-anniversary celebration in March during National Groundwater Protection Week. MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers visited students at Colonel Richardson Middle School in Federalsburg to discuss the importance of groundwater. About 30 percent of Maryland's population relies on groundwater for their daily use. The sixth-graders learned about the water cycle and groundwater, how groundwater can be potentially contaminated and what we as citizens of Maryland can do to protect it.

In honor of MDE's observance of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, Governor Martin O'Malley proclaimed March 11-17 Maryland Groundwater Awareness Week.

During Read Across Maryland Month, "Dr. Bob" read "Did A Dinosaur Drink this Water?" to third grade students at Eastport Elementary in Annapolis. The story explains the water cycle, as well as water pollution and our responsibility to keep our waterways clean.

Carroll Creek in Baker Park, Frederick, MD was the site of a water quality monitoring activity by Parkway Elementary students for the World Water Monitoring Challenge on October 17.

A Parkway fifth-grader examines a sample of water from Carroll Creek to determine the turbidity as MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers explains the basics of water quality.

Secretary Summers takes questions from Parkway fifth-graders on how they can help keep Maryland's waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay clean.

For its participation in MDE's water monitoring demonstration, Secretary Summers presented Parkway Elementary School with a proclamation from Governor O'Malley proclaiming October 17, as "Clean Water Day at Parkway Elementary School."

As a culmination to the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, MDE held the 2nd Annual Clean Water Trade Show at Montgomery Park in Baltimore, MD. Forty green vendors exhibited their products and services to the 200-plus water quality professionals who attended the all-day event.

Exhibitors George Flam and Travis Black of Apex Companies, LLC speak with attendees Brian Lewandowski and Erin McArdle of the Montgomery County Parks Department.

Scott Tjaden (left), a University of Maryland graduate student studying Environmental Science Technology, listens as Terry Siviter of Rotundo Environmental Solutions explains his company's "StormPod."

Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown looks on as Secretary Robert M. Summers offers remarks to the attendees and exhibitors. The Trade Show, he said, "presents an excellent opportunity to bring together all of the stakeholders involved in Chesapeake Bay restoration."

The Clean Water Trade Show and MDE's 40th anniversary celebration culminated with the Smart, Green & Growing Award for Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovations in Stormwater Management. In a ceremony held during the Trade Show, Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown presented the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) with the Smart, Green & Growing Award for Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovation in Stormwater Management for its parking lot retrofit project at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Baltimore City. The award recognizes groups, organizations, county and municipal governments and projects that have fostered the creation of new approaches to address the impact of stormwater runoff pollution in Maryland.
Pictured: (L-R) Bobby Marinelli (Baltimore Polytechnic Institute), Paul Nevenglosky (Moffatt & Nichol), Paul Waters (Maryland Environmental Service Construction Crew), Doug Matzke (Maryland Port Administration), James M. Harkins (Maryland Environmental Service Executive Director), Mike Bozman (Maryland Port Administration), Lt. Governor, Anthony G. Brown and MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers.