For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week - a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.  As a member of AWWA, Moorhead Public Service (MPS) is proud to join in this celebration of only what tap water delivers.

Mike Leonard, AWWA President has said that "Drinking Water Week is an opportunity for Americans to think about what water means to each of us. A safe and reliable water supply is central to our daily lives, and we enjoy some of the highest quality water in the world. This week is a great time to celebrate our drinking water and renew our commitment to keeping it safe."

Only Tap Water Delivers

During Drinking Water Week, MPS would like to feature a few things that "Only Tap Water Delivers, " drawing special attention to drinking water quality, water efficiency and conservation, and the importance of water infrastructure

Tap water is a zero-calorie drink choice to keep us healthy and hydrated. It's clean because dedicated water professionals treat our drinking water and constantly monitor it, ensuring that lives up to high water quality standards. And our tap water is ‘green' in that it encourages the protection of our watersheds and does not require a bottle.

The need to protect and conserve water resources

In the United States alone, communities use approximately 40 billion gallons of tap water each day for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and other everyday uses. To meet increased demand, the water community is investing in new technologies such as water reuse and desalination of ocean and brackish water. Water utilities are also highlighting the need to invest in water infrastructure to limit leaks from water mains and encouraging water efficient devices.

Although the Red River Valley has not suffered drought, over the past three years, recurring drought has affected large swaths of the United States and many experts predict that at least 36 states will face water shortages within the next five years.  In AWWA's 2008 State of the Industry Report, water industry professionals identified source water supply and protection as the top area of concern. Conservation will continue to be a focus of the water industry as we encourage customers to be wise with this resource: 

Top 10 Conservation Tips:

1. Don't leave the sink running while you brush your teeth.
2. Fully load the dishwasher and clothes washer before running them.
3. Consider landscapes that use native or drought-resistant plants that do not require much water.
4. Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water each year in the average home. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons per day.
5. Install water-efficient appliances in your home. Look for the EPA WaterSense labels, and check with your local water system to see if they offer rebates.
6. Don't over-water your lawn, and water early in the morning or at night to avoid excess evaporation.
7. When the driveway or sidewalk needs cleaning, consider a broom instead of a hose. It can save up to 80 gallons of water.
8. If you have a swimming pool, use a cover. You will cut the loss of water by evaporation by 90 percent.
9. Help preserve the quality of the available water supply by not overusing pesticides and fertilizers, avoiding flushing medications down the toilet or sink, and disposing of hazardous materials properly.
10. Place rain barrels beneath your downspouts. The rainwater can be used for outdoor plants and trees or to wash a car.

The real and lasting value of our water system

As individuals and communities, today we demand a solid "return on investment" for each dollar we spend. That's exactly what's earned by investing in U.S. water systems. In fact, a 2008 study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors showed that for every dollar invested in public water and sewer infrastructure and services, approximately $8.97 is added to the national economy.

One silver lining in these hard economic times is that we tend to focus more on things of real and lasting value. Only tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for the economy and the quality of life we enjoy. And in these tight times, reinvesting in our tap water system can even deliver new jobs.

Water infrastructure projects involve engineering, pipe and valve manufacturing, concrete and construction work and more. AWWA recently estimated that a $10 billion investment in water infrastructure projects in the United States would almost immediately create at least 400,000 jobs.

Investing in our tap water systems is a smart, safe, common sense investment that will pay off for generations to come. What's good for our health and safety is also good for our ailing economy.

Emergency preparedness

We all have an important role to play in keeping our water supplies safe and preparing for the unexpected. Drinking Water Week is a good time to set aside a few moments to prepare our own homes for rare water emergencies.

In the post 9/11 era, water professionals and emergency responders have taken steps to further protect water supplies, treatment facilities and distribution systems from natural and man-made disasters. Meanwhile, public health agencies, hospitals and emergency personnel continue to practice disaster response scenarios. Utilities have also developed WARN networks, which prepare them assist one another quickly and efficiently during emergencies. 

Still, consumers should be prepared for rare service interruptions that can occur from natural disasters, system malfunctions, power outages or other events. Preparing for water emergencies includes:

Storing Water

• Store one gallon (about 4 liters) of water per person per day. Have enough water on hand to last at least three days. As long as disinfected tap water is stored in a clean, airtight container in a cool location, it should remain safe indefinitely.
• Store water in quality food-grade plastic containers instead of glass. Avoid paper containers that will weaken over time. 

Observing Boil Water Notices

• MPS has a process in place to alert you if problems exist with your tap water. Water suppliers, working with state and local health officials, may issue a "Boil Water Order" or a "Do Not Drink" notice if testing indicates contamination may be present.
• When a Boil Water Order is issued, make sure any water used for drinking is boiled for at least three minutes (five minutes at higher altitudes). If you still have power, refrigerate the water after you have boiled it.
• Listen to local news for status updates.

We can all be partners in assuring the safety of our water by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity around water facilities, hydrants and storage tanks. If you see something unusual, don't hesitate to call the police department and your water utility.  For more information on MPS' hydrant program, click here.

Protection of precious source water

In the past year, media reports about trace amounts of pharmaceutical compounds and personal care products in drinking water have underscored the connection between what is released into the environment and what finds its way to our source water. 

"We all have a role in protecting our water resources," said Mike Leonard, AWWA president. "Elected leaders can work for smart public policy that protects source water. Agriculture operations and industry can take steps to reduce pollution in our waterways and aquifers. And we as consumers can properly dispose of prescription medications and other products that are too often flushed into the wastewater system and out to the environment."

As analytical methods improve, compounds from pharmaceuticals and personal care products are being found in drinking water at very low levels. While science has not found human health impacts these levels, researchers are continuing study the occurrence, removal techniques and possible health impacts of these emerging contaminants. 

"What matters most is not if we can find these substances - it's the health impacts at the levels we find them," Leonard said. "It's very important that we study not only what is there, but rather what it means."

On April 23, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009 passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which aims to coordinate U.S. research efforts to ensure adequate water supplies, also includes language that requires a study of human health impacts associated with pharmaceuticals and personal care products and other emerging contaminants.