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May 6,
2008
Little Rock --The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is joining with water utilities around the state in recognizing May 4 – 10 as Drinking Water Week. The message for the week is “Only Tap Water Delivers.”
“The week provides an opportunity to recognize a resource that, in spite of its importance to public health, economic development, and quality of life, is all too often taken for granted,” said Paul K. Halverson, DrPH, FACHE, Director and State Health Officer. “Until it is threatened by drought, main breaks, or as in recent events, by tornadoes or floods, we seldom appreciate the value of tap water service and the importance it plays in our everyday lives.”
Governor Mike Beebe has recognized the week through a proclamation which states, “I urge my fellow citizens to join me in recognizing this most precious natural resource and to commend the men and women of our drinking water utilities, their contractors, and state agencies, on whom we depend, twenty four hours a day, every day of the year.” [A copy of the proclamation can be viewed or downloaded from www.healthyarkansas.com/eng/.]
Only tap water can deliver the high quality of life which we enjoy in the following ways:
Public Health Protection
People in North American can drink from virtually any public tap, whether at home, at work, or where they recreate, with a high degree of confidence in the safety of that water. Such is not the case in other areas of the world. Worldwide, an estimated three million people die every year from preventable waterborne diseases.
Fire Protection
Over 1.5 million fires happen each year in the United States. While most individuals never think about fires until they occur, in many water systems fire hydrants supplied by the same pipes that supply water to our taps can help to make the difference between a manageable fire and a devastating loss.
Economic Development
A safe, reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. It creates jobs, and attracts industry and investment. Tap water is critical to the daily operations of existing businesses, and to the vitality of commercial enterprises and residential developments. From foods and beverages, to toothpaste and perfume, water is a primary ingredient in hundreds of thousands of every day product. The availability of water resources and service has a profound effect on job creation and overall economic prosperity.
In the United States, communities use approximately 40 billion gallons of tap water every day for such uses as drinking, cooking and cleaning, fighting fires, and supporting the local economy.
In Arkansas, approximately 700 community public water systems furnish water to an estimated 92% of the residences in the state, serving about 2.6 million persons each day. An additional 400 non-community public water systems supply drinking water to nonresidents in factories, schools, parks, and restaurants. Many public water systems also provide Arkansans with fluoridated drinking water—over 1.6 million children and adults in the state enjoy the benefits of fluoridated water today, which provides significant protection from tooth decay and improved oral health.
Consumers can play an active role in supporting and protecting their drinking water supply by:
- Educating themselves about where their water comes from and the particular challenges facing their water utility
- Using water in a conservative fashion by repairing dripping faucets and leaky toilets, installing water efficient appliances, not over water the lawn, and similar practices
- Helping preserve the quality of the water supply by not overusing pesticides and fertilizers, avoid flushing medications down the toilet or sink, and disposing of hazardous materials properly
More information about the importance of tap water and about Drinking Water Week can be found at: American Water Works Association –
www.awwa.org/Government/Content.cfm?ItemNumber=3862&navItemNumber=3863
or
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - www.epa.gov/ogwdw/waterweek/index.htmlInformation about drinking water in Arkansas can be found at: Arkansas Department of Health - www.healthyarkansas.com/eng/ or by contacting the ADH Engineering Section of the - 501-661-2623
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