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;
15and

16WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-

1owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality
2water to homeowners and businesses; and

3WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are
4upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of
5those systems; and

6WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates
7the rates and service of approximately 118 investor-owned water
8companies in this Commonwealth; and

9WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
10Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is
11provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and

12WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
13Authority) and the H20 PA Program provide low-cost financial
14assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking
15water systems; and

16WHEREAS, Ongoing cooperation among the Department of
17Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
18Commission, PENNVEST and the H20 PA Program strengthens drinking
19water system viability, enhances service, increases economies of
20scale, regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and
21fosters economic development; and

22WHEREAS, A new State water plan has been developed to
23coordinate regional, county and local water allocation and use,
24land development planning and related zoning requirements under
25Act 220 of 2002; and

26WHEREAS, The American Water Works Association established
27"National Drinking Water Week" more than 30 years ago to call
28attention to water as a precious natural resource; and

29WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are
30essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and

1WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community
2drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on
3a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking
4water for granted; therefore be it

5RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of May 4 through
610, 2014, as "Drinking Water Week" in Pennsylvania to heighten
7awareness of drinking water treatment, monitoring, distribution
8and related costs and urge all residents of this Commonwealth to
9protect our watersheds, conserve our precious drinking water
10supply and preserve its superior quality.