Safe Waterways in Maryland (“SWIM”) is a Maryland, private, non-profit, operating foundation. SWIM was formed as an educational, advocacy and watchdog group to ensure the health and safety of Maryland’s waterways. SWIM is a state-wide organization and advocates issues of local and state-wide importance. SWIM believes the public has a right to know the health, safety and quality of Maryland waterways.
It is simple: WIN-WIN.
This means adhering to the law and maintaining good relationships.
It does not mean accepting back-sliding or less than 100% compliance.
SWIM’s focus is on point source pollution from sewage treatment plants that discharge into Maryland waterways. SWIM negotiates permits, performs permit file reviews and does independent waterway testing to verify permit compliance. SWIM believes the most common threat to the public health is waterborne pathogen contamination from untreated or improperly treated sewage and sewage overflows.
- To educate the public about the essential nature of clean and safe water;
- To educate the public about the inter-relationships between land use, air and water;
- To educate the public about the public participation processes for environmental matters;
- To encourage public participation in all aspects of environmental protection;
- To educate industries and members of the private sector and encourage compliance with all aspects of environmental protection;
- To educate the government and encourage public participation in all aspects of environmental protection;
- To work cooperatively with community groups, non-profits and individuals to further the purpose of clean and safe waterways in Maryland;
- To promote and encourage information sharing that furthers appropriate watershed-wide planning;
- To encourage enforcement of environmental regulations;
- To take such legal actions as are necessary to further the purpose of clean and safe waterways in Maryland.
Our Executive Director is C. Victoria Woodward, an attorney and safe water advocate with over twenty years experience in environmental and land use law. She served as Chair of the State Water Quality Advisory Committee from 2003 to 2006 and again in 2007. She continues as a member. In 2004 she served as Chair of the Advisory Council on Water Security and Sewerage Systems and was a member of the Advisory Committee on the Management and Protection of the State's Water Resources. She was re-appointed by the Governor to serve on the 2005 Advisory Committee on the Management and Protection of State Water Resources. She served on the 2001 Governor's Task Force on Upgrading Sewerage Systems and the 2004-2005 State Interagency Technical Advisory Committee to implement the 2001 findings.
J. Duncan Smith, Dyson P. Ehrhardt, E.S. "Jack" Jackson, Daniel C. Keith, Carolyn C. Smith, David D. Smith, Frances E. Smith, Frederick G. Smith, Robert E. Smith, Judge Basil Thomas.
Safe Waterways in Maryland
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
(410) 568–1538
Fax: (410) 568–1549
Questions? Please contact us.
