DENVER, May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Drinking Water Week continues, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) joins water professionals across North America to highlight the importance of a safe, reliable water supply to our overall quality of life -- from public health protection and fire suppression to the critical role it plays in supporting the economy.
"Tap water is such an integral part of our daily lives that we sometimes don't notice its immeasurable value," said Gary Zimmerman, executive director of AWWA. "Only tap water delivers the high quality of life we enjoy."
Public Health Protection
In a world where an estimated three million people die every year from preventable waterborne diseases, people in North America can drink from virtually any public tap with a high assurance of safety. Without our modern water systems, diseases such as cholera and dysentery would be a tragic part of our everyday life.
Fire Protection
In the United States alone, over 1.5 million fires happen each year. While most of us never think about fires until they occur, there is a vast network of water infrastructure in place to protect us when they do. In most communities, water flowing to fire hydrants and home faucets is transported by the same system of water mains, pumps and storage tanks. Simply put, a water system that provides reliable water at a high pressure and volume can be the difference between a manageable fire and an inferno.
Support for the Economy
Though often taken for granted, tap water is critical to the daily operations of existing businesses and to the vitality of new commercial enterprises and residential developments in a host of important ways. From foods and beverages, to toothpastes and perfumes, water is the primary ingredient in hundreds of thousands of every day products. Therefore, the availability of water resources and service has a profound effect on job creation and overall economic prosperity.
In an effort to bring conversation about the value of tap water above ground, the American Water Works Association and its members will continue to highlight the need to protect and preserve our most valuable natural resource - drinking water.
For more information on what only tap water delivers, please visit http://www.drinktap.org/.
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. We often take water supply for granted until it is threatened, either by drought, water main breaks, or some other event. For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week - a unique opportunity for 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 4,600 utility members serve 80 percent of the U.S. population.
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.
CONTACT: Kylah Hedding
303-347-6140
khedding@awwa.org
American Water Works Association
