PRINTER'S NO. 1982
No. 302 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY MUSTO, M. WHITE, FERLO, PUNT, FONTANA,
C. WILLIAMS, KASUNIC, STOUT, LAVALLE, PIPPY, TARTAGLIONE,
ERICKSON, PILEGGI, O'PAKE, WASHINGTON, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY,
BAKER, ARMSTRONG, COSTA, STACK, GREENLEAF, CORMAN, BRUBAKER,
FOLMER AND McILHINNEY, APRIL 28, 2008
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 28, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the week of May 4 through 10, 2008, 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;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, Few people consider water supply when choosing a
14 home or when taking a stand on local water supply regulations;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-
1 owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality
2 water to homeowners and businesses; and
3 WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are
4 upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of
5 those systems; and
6 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates
7 the rates and service of 126 investor-owned water companies in
8 this Commonwealth; and
9 WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
10 Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is
11 provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and
12 WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
13 Authority) is the State agency that provides low-cost financial
14 assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking
15 water systems; and
16 WHEREAS, Ongoing interagency cooperation among the Department
17 of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
18 Commission and PENNVEST strengthens drinking water system
19 viability, enhances service, increases economies of scale,
20 regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and fosters
21 economic development; and
22 WHEREAS, A new State water plan has been developed to
23 coordinate regional, county and local water allocation and use,
24 land development planning and related zoning requirements under
25 Act 220 of 2002; and
26 WHEREAS, The American Water Works Association established
27 "National Drinking Water Week" more than 30 years ago to call
28 attention to water as a precious natural resource; and
29 WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are
30 essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and
20080S0302R1982 - 2 -
1 WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community
2 drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on
3 a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking
4 water for granted; therefore be it
5 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of May 4 through
6 10, 2008, as "Drinking Water Week" in Pennsylvania to heighten
7 awareness of drinking water treatment, monitoring, distribution
8 and related costs and urge all residents of this Commonwealth to
9 protect our watersheds, conserve our precious drinking water
10 supply and preserve its superior quality.
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