National Association of Water Companies Celebrates National Drinking Water Week
WASHINGTON – The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) this week joins the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Water Works Association in celebrating National Drinking Water Week. Observed May 1-7, 2011, National Drinking Water Week provides both water professionals and the communities they serve an opportunity to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.
“Alarmingly, 85% of plastic bottles end up in landfills. And every day, high-quality tap water is delivered straight to the homes of millions of customers without the use of a single plastic bottle,” said NAWC executive director Michael Deane. “NAWC’s member companies treat and deliver tap water for a fraction of a penny per gallon, and that tap water is subject to quality standards that often exceed those of bottled water. Our members know that only tap water truly delivers sustainable value to consumers.”
NAWC member companies, like American Water, are committed to providing sustainable, reliable water service to communities across the country while protecting the environment. In fact, American Water developed an initiative entitled “America on Tap,” a yearlong education effort aiming to make a difference for the environment by helping to reduce the consumption of bottled water.
Further recognizing the value of tap water, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will soon conduct their annual City Water Taste Test to name the “Best Tasting City Water in America.” On Friday, May 20, Michael Deane will serve as a judge, narrowing 15 semifinalists down to 5 finalists in the nationwide search.
“National Drinking Water Week isn’t just about educating the public on the value of tap water, it’s also important that we raise awareness of the significant economical impacts of sustainable infrastructure investment,” said Deane. “To ensure all Americans continue to have access to safe water, we have to foster discussions with local communities about the importance of sustainable water infrastructure and the benefits of public-private partnerships. Local investment in water infrastructure not only sustains community development and improves system performance, it supports job creation.”
Source: WaterTechOnline