PRINTER'S NO. 3785
No. 679 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY RUBLEY, ARGALL, BAKER, BALDWIN, BASTIAN, BEBKO-
JONES, BELFANTI, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CAUSER, COHEN,
CORNELL, CORRIGAN, CRAHALLA, CRUZ, DERMODY, DeWEESE,
DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, J. EVANS, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FEESE,
FLEAGLE, FORCIER, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GABIG, GEIST, GEORGE,
GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHART, HARPER,
HASAY, HERSHEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, KILLION, LEDERER, MAITLAND,
MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, McGILL, McILHATTAN,
McILHINNEY, MILLARD, MUSTIO, PALLONE, PAYNE, PHILLIPS,
PICKETT, PISTELLA, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, REICHLEY, ROBERTS,
ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SATHER, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER,
SEMMEL, SHANER, SIPTROTH, B. SMITH, STABACK, STERN,
TANGRETTI, E. Z. TAYLOR, THOMAS, TIGUE, WALKO AND YOUNGBLOOD,
APRIL 3, 2006
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 3, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the week of May 7 through 13, 2006, as "Drinking
2 Water Week" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, While 80% of the earth's surface is covered with
4 water, only 1% of that water is suitable for human consumption;
5 and
6 WHEREAS, Groundwater, the water that soaks into the soil from
7 raindrops and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings
8 in beds of rock and sand, makes up about 90% of the fresh water
9 on earth, not including polar icecaps; and
10 WHEREAS, Individual water wells tapping groundwater resources
11 provide high-quality water to many homeowners and businesses;
1 and
2 WHEREAS, Few people consider water supply when choosing a
3 home or when taking a stand on local water supply regulations;
4 and
5 WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-
6 owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality
7 water to homeowners and businesses; and
8 WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are
9 upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of
10 those systems; and
11 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates
12 the rates and service of 100 investor-owned water companies in
13 this Commonwealth; and
14 WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
15 Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is
16 provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and
17 WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
18 Authority) is the State agency that provides low-cost financial
19 assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking
20 water systems; and
21 WHEREAS, Ongoing interagency cooperation among the Department
22 of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
23 Commission and PENNVEST strengthens drinking water system
24 viability, enhances service, increases economies of scale,
25 regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and fosters
26 economic development; and
27 WHEREAS, A new State water plan is being developed to
28 coordinate regional, county and local water allocation and use,
29 land development planning and related zoning requirements under
30 Act 220 of 2002; and
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1 WHEREAS, The American Water Works Association established
2 "National Drinking Water Week" more than 30 years ago to call
3 attention to water as a precious natural resource; and
4 WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are
5 essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and
6 WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community
7 drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on
8 a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking
9 water for granted; therefore be it
10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
11 week of May 7 through 13, 2006, as "Drinking Water Week" in
12 Pennsylvania to heighten awareness of drinking water treatment,
13 monitoring, distribution and related costs and urge all
14 residents of this Commonwealth to protect our watersheds,
15 conserve our precious drinking water supply and preserve its
16 superior quality.
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