Local water utilities can provide the answers to questions about water quality

DENVER, May 9, 2003 -- In these times of increasing security concerns and a rapidly growing bottled water market, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) concludes National Drinking Water Week by providing consumers with tips on how to determine if their drinking water is safe.

Americans drink more than 1 billion glasses of tap water per day, and finding information on the safety of this water is easier than consumers may think.

"Each year in July local utilities release water quality reports, or Consumer Confidence Reports, free of charge to their customers, outlining in detail where the local water comes from and what levels of contaminants, if any, are in the water," said Jack Hoffbuhr, AWWA executive director. "These reports are an excellent source of information for consumers who have concerns about their local tap water."

In addition to the annual water quality reports, local water utilities can provide consumers with specific answers about local water supplies, quality, and treatment technologies. Treatment methods used, such as chlorine disinfection, have been cited by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the 20th century's 10 most important public health accomplishments, and these methods help to ensure quality, safety, and taste of drinking water.

"We encourage consumers to contact their local water utility with any questions, concerns, and to become more familiar with local water supplies," concluded Hoffbuhr.

Learn more about drinking water and how you can help celebrate National Drinking Water Week by visiting AWWA online.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of drinking 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 drinking water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.