Pennsylvania celebrates Safe Drinking Water Week

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 10, 2001 — On behalf of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary David E. Hess today reminded Pennsylvanians to celebrate Safe Drinking Water Week by helping to protect water and watersheds.

Safe Drinking Water Week in Pennsylvania continues through Saturday, May 12.

"The economic and environmental future of our Commonwealth depends on a safe and plentiful supply of water," Hess said. "Fish and aquatic life depend on clean water.

"Drinking water doesn't come from your faucet. It comes from a well, a stream or a reservoir. How clean that water is depends on each of us and on the public and private water-system operators that work hard to make sure our water is safe to drink."

As part of Safe Drinking Water Week, DEP is recognizing 1,456 Pennsylvania water-supply systems that have complied with all federal and state drinking water-quality standards and monitoring requirements during 2000.

"We want to recognize the extraordinary record of compliance for water suppliers who have met all of their monitoring and treatment requirements during the year," Hess said. "These suppliers have produced water for public consumption that complies with and often exceeds additional drinking water standards."

Each system will receive a certificate from DEP to recognize its work in preserving water as a precious natural resource, conserving drinking and groundwater supplies, and maintaining water quality.

"Everyone can get involved in protecting water supplies by joining a local watershed-protection group; taking steps to conserve the water they use; and supporting local water-system improvements that will ensure safer drinking water supplies," Hess said.

For more information on drinking water or the water systems recognized, visit DEP through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us or directly at www.dep.state.pa.us (directLINK "drinking water" or "celebrate safe water").