Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Observes National Drinking Water Week May 5-10

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is encouraging all Tennesseans to observe National Drinking Water Week, May 5-10. 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 39th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).  Coupled with the requirements of the Clean Water Act and state regulations, the Safe Drinking Water Act helps form the core of our national and state efforts to provide quality drinking water and protect the health of our citizens.

SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. SDWA does not regulate private wells which serve fewer than 25 individuals.

“Public systems providing drinking water across Tennessee are among the most highly ranked systems in the nation,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. “Tennessee continues to build on the successes of the past 38 years by working with all of our partners in the water community to fully realize the public health goals of the Safe Drinking Water Act.  We encourage all citizens to help us commemorate National Drinking Water Week.”

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 Conservation works 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 Resources plays in our safe drinking water, please visit www.tn.gov/environment/water. For questions about safe drinking water, please contact the Division of Water Resources at (615) 532-0625.

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