National Drinking Water Week Slated for May 2-8

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is encouraging all Tennesseans to observe National Drinking Water Week, May 2-8. Tennesseans can do their part in promoting good stewardship of the state’s water supply by helping protect our source waters from pollution, practicing water conservation, actively supporting the upkeep of drinking water infrastructure and becoming involved in local water issues. 

 

In addition to celebrating National Drinking Water Week, this year marks the 36th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act – which forms the core of our national efforts to provide quality drinking water and protect the health of our citizens. 

 

A noteworthy 98 percent of Tennessee citizens receiving public drinking water are served by public systems that meet all federal requirements for safe drinking water – one of the highest rankings in the United States. 

 

“Tennessee’s public drinking water and source water protection programs have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a successful benchmark for other states,” said Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan. “Going forward, improved water resource planning and citizen involvement will be essential to assure Tennessee’s water resources meet the growing demands and impacts placed on them.” 

 

National Drinking Water Week recognizes the importance of water source protection and conservation, as well as the value and importance of our state’s water resources. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservationworks with drinking water utilities to ensure the water delivered to consumers meets all federal and state standards and is clean and abundant. These efforts are vital to Tennessee’s economy and to the public health of our citizens.

 

Millions of people in Tennessee are served daily by more than 871 public drinking water systems, ranging in size from a drinking fountain at a roadside rest area to a large metropolitan drinking water system. Whether large or small, Tennesseans rely on their water systems to provide a safe and dependable supply of water, both now and in the future.

 

To learn more about the important role Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Supply plays in our safe drinking water, visit www.tn.gov/environment/dws. For questions about safe drinking water, please contact the Division of Water Supply at (615) 532-0191 or e-mail water.supply@tn.gov.

 

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