DENVER, CO, May 7, 2010 -- As Drinking Water Week 2010 concludes, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) joins water professionals across North America in encouraging the protection of our precious source waters.
"National Drinking Water Week is a chance for water utilities and the customers they serve to join together and celebrate the immeasurable value of clean and safe water in our daily lives," said AWWA President Craig Woolard. "North America has some of the best water in the world, and we all share the obligation to keep it that way."
To help protect water sources from contamination, AWWA offers these tips:
• Don't overuse pesticides or fertilizers as they can travel through runoff and soil and contaminate ground water.
• Dispose of used motor oil properly. One quart of motor oil can contaminate more than 250,000 gallons of water.
• Use detergents that are phosphate-free to save our lakes and streams.
• Join in a beach, stream, or wetlands cleanup project.
• Properly dispose of prescription medications and other products that are too often flushed down the toilet, into the wastewater system and out to the environment. Consult with your local health department for information on proper disposal in your community.
About Drinking Water Week
A safe, reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. It creates jobs, attracts industry and investment, and provides for the health and welfare of citizens in ways ranging from disease prevention to fire suppression. For more than 35 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week -- a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.
Established in 1881, AWWA is the oldest and largest nonprofit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to safe water in North America. AWWA has more than 60,000 members worldwide and its 4,500 utility members serve 80 percent of the U.S. population.
For more information on what only tap water delivers, please visit http://www.drinktap.org .
AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.
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