1Designating the week of May 5 through 11, 2013, as "Drinking
2Water Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, While 80% of the earth's surface is covered with
4water, only 1% of that water is suitable for human consumption;
5and

6WHEREAS, Groundwater, the water that soaks into the soil from
7raindrops and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings
8in beds of rock and sand, makes up about 90% of the fresh water
9on earth, not including polar icecaps; and

10WHEREAS, Individual water wells tapping groundwater resources
11provide high-quality water to many homeowners and businesses;
12and

13WHEREAS, Few people consider water supply when choosing a
14home or when taking a stand on local water supply regulations;
15and

1WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-
2owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality
3water to homeowners and businesses; and

4WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are
5upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of
6those systems; and

7WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates
8the rates and service of investor-owned water companies in this
9Commonwealth; and

10WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
11Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is
12provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and

13WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
14Authority) and the H2O PA program provide low-cost financial
15assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking
16water systems; and

17WHEREAS, Ongoing cooperation among the Department of
18Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
19Commission, PENNVEST and the H2O PA program strengthens drinking
20water system viability, enhances service, increases economies of
21scale, regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and
22fosters economic development; and

23WHEREAS, A State water plan has been developed to coordinate
24regional, county and local water allocation and use, land
25development planning and related zoning requirements under Act
26220 of 2002; and

27WHEREAS, The American Water Works Association established
28"National Drinking Water Week" more than 30 years ago to call
29attention to water as a precious natural resource; and

30WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are

1essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and

2WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community
3drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on
4a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking
5water for granted; therefore be it

6RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
7week of May 5 through 11, 2013, as "Drinking Water Week" in
8Pennsylvania to heighten awareness of drinking water treatment,
9monitoring, distribution and related costs and urge all
10residents of this Commonwealth to protect our watersheds,
11conserve our precious drinking water supply and preserve its
12superior quality.