PRINTER'S NO. 1409
No. 251 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY RUBLEY, MAJOR, GEORGE, HUTCHINSON, EVERETT,
ARGALL, BAKER, BARRAR, BENNINGTON, BOBACK, CALTAGIRONE,
CAPPELLI, COHEN, CONKLIN, CREIGHTON, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO,
DONATUCCI, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, FREEMAN,
GALLOWAY, GEIST, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN,
HARHART, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, HESS, JAMES, KILLION, KIRKLAND,
KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MANTZ, MARSICO, McILHATTAN, MELIO,
MILLARD, MOYER, MUNDY, MURT, MUSTIO, MYERS, PALLONE, PAYNE,
PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, RAMALEY, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY,
ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SONNEY,
STERN, THOMAS, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WATSON, WOJNAROSKI
AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 24, 2007
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 24, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the week of May 6 through 12, 2007, 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
1 WHEREAS, Few people consider water supply when choosing a
2 home or when taking a stand on local water supply regulations;
3 and
4 WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-
5 owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality
6 water to homeowners and businesses; and
7 WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are
8 upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of
9 those systems; and
10 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates
11 the rates and service of 126 investor-owned water companies in
12 this Commonwealth; and
13 WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
14 Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is
15 provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and
16 WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
17 Authority) is the State agency that provides low-cost financial
18 assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking
19 water systems; and
20 WHEREAS, Ongoing interagency cooperation among the Department
21 of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
22 Commission and PENNVEST strengthens drinking water system
23 viability, enhances service, increases economies of scale,
24 regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and fosters
25 economic development; and
26 WHEREAS, A new State water plan is being developed to
27 coordinate regional, county and local water allocation and use,
28 land development planning and related zoning requirements under
29 Act 220 of 2002; and
30 WHEREAS, The American Water Works Association established
20070H0251R1409 - 2 -
1 "National Drinking Water Week" more than 30 years ago to call
2 attention to water as a precious natural resource; and
3 WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are
4 essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and
5 WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community
6 drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on
7 a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking
8 water for granted; therefore be it
9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
10 week of May 6 through 12, 2007, as "Drinking Water Week" in
11 Pennsylvania to heighten awareness of drinking water treatment,
12 monitoring, distribution and related costs and urge all
13 residents of this Commonwealth to protect our watersheds,
14 conserve our precious drinking water supply and preserve its
15 superior quality.
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