1Designating the week of May 4 through 10, 2014, 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;

1and

2WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-
3owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality
4water to homeowners and businesses; and

5WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are
6upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of
7those systems; and

8WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates
9the rates and service of investor-owned water companies in this
10Commonwealth; and

11WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
12Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is
13provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and

14WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
15Authority) and the H2O PA program provide low-cost financial
16assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking
17water systems; and

18WHEREAS, Ongoing cooperation among the Department of
19Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
20Commission, PENNVEST and the H2O PA program strengthens drinking
21water system viability, enhances service, increases economies of
22scale, regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and
23fosters economic development; and

24WHEREAS, A State water plan has been developed to coordinate
25regional, county and local water allocation and use, land
26development planning and related zoning requirements under Act
27220 of 2002; and

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

1WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are
2essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and

3WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community
4drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on
5a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking
6water for granted; therefore be it

7RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
8week of May 4 through 10, 2014, as "Drinking Water Week" in
9Pennsylvania to heighten awareness of drinking water treatment,
10monitoring, distribution and related costs and urge all
11residents of this Commonwealth to protect our watersheds,
12conserve our precious drinking water supply and preserve its
13superior quality.