Drinking Water Week Marks Safe Drinking Water Act's 35th Anniversary
1,731 Drinking Water Systems Serve More than 6.3 Million Residents in Commonwealth

This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act that forms the core of the national efforts to provide quality drinking water and protect the health of every citizen. From May 3-9, the country is celebrating National Drinking Water Week - a national observance that highlights the value of water to each person in our everyday lives.

In Massachusetts, more than 6.3 million people are served daily by 1,731 public drinking water systems, ranging in size from a drinking fountain at a roadside rest area to a large metropolitan drinking water system. Each Massachusetts resident relies on their water system (whether large or small) to provide a safe and dependable supply of water, both now and in the future.

"National Drinking Water Week recognizes the importance of water source protection and conservation, as well as the value, importance, and fragility of our state's water resources," said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Laurie Burt. "MassDEP works with drinking water utilities to make sure that the water delivered to consumers meets all federal and state standards and is clean and abundant. These efforts are vital to Massachusetts' economy and to the public health of our citizens."

The tasks facing state drinking water programs and public water systems continue to be extremely challenging - especially in an era of scarce resources. The drinking water infrastructure in many cities is aging and presents daunting resource demands. The nation continues to be challenged by new and emerging drinking water contaminants associated with our industrial society.

Today, Massachusetts renews its commitment to build on the successes of the past 35 years and to continue to work with all of our partners in the water community to fully realize the public health goals of the Safe Drinking Water Act through celebrating National Drinking Water Week.

Many municipal drinking water systems throughout the state hold open houses during drinking water week. Please contact your specific town for more information:  http://www.madwep.org/your_drinking_water.htm#Local%20Water%20Department%20Links

Massachusetts will celebrate the award-winning drinking water systems at a ceremony on June 25 in Dighton. For more information on the Awards Program, please go to: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/systems.htm#awards

For more information about Drinking Water Week, please go to: http://www.awwa.org/Government/content.cfm?ItemNumber=44766&navItemNumber=3863

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