The Value of Tap Water

May 6-12, 2007, is Drinking Water Week. Water suppliers and communities across North America are taking the time to celebrate the benefits of safe and affordable public water. Tap water delivers what no other water can.

 Only Tap Water Delivers:
          ·        public health protection
          ·        fire protection 
          ·        economic development
          ·        quality of life

Public Health Protection

Protecting public health is the number one priority of water suppliers in North America.

 What you may not know about the health benefits your tap water delivers:

• In North America, you can drink from virtually any public tap, while in the developing world an estimated 3 million people die every year from preventable waterborne disease.
• The Centers for Disease control names the disinfection of water as one of the top 10 public health accomplishments of the 20th century.
• In the United States, water utilities monitor for more than 100 contaminants and must meet close to 90 regulations for water safety and quality.
• Child cavity rates have been reduced by 20-40% where fluoridation of tap water has been implemented.
• The United Nations has dubbed 2005-2015 the ‘Water for Life Decade,’ and its seeking to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water.
• Every year, water utilities provide customers with a detailed report on the quality of their drinking water.

Fire Protection

A reliable water supply plays an essential role in keeping our communities safe from fire.

 What you may not know about the fire protection your tap water delivers:

• More than a million and a half fires burn in the United States each year.
• In most communities, water flowing to fire hydrants is transported by the same system of water mains, pumps and storage tanks that delivers drinking water.
• The ability to provide water for fire protection is essential to the development of communities. It can influence things like new home construction, business location decisions, and insurance rates.
• Most community water systems were first created for fire protection, not for drinking water delivery.
• In most communities, your water rates help pay for the maintenance of fire hydrants.

Support for the Economy and Quality of Life

A reliable water supply provides critical support for our economy and the overall quality of life we enjoy.

What you may not know about the true value your tap water delivers:

• Water is the primary ingredient in hundreds of thousands of everyday products, including many foods and beverages, as well as items such as toothpastes and perfumes.
• Water is needed in the manufacturing of many products. For example, approximately 300 million gallons of water are needed to produce a single day's supply of U.S. newsprint.
• Total water use (both indoor and outdoor) in a typical single-family home is 101 gallons per capita per day.
• Only 3 percent of the tap water we use on a typical day is used for drinking. The rest goes for outdoor watering, bathroom uses, clothes washing, etc.

 Drinking Water Week

For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) has celebrated Drinking Water Week with its members – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the consumers they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. During the week of May 6-12, utilities, their communities and other groups across the country celebrate our most precious natural resource with fairs, programs, contests and other exciting events. For more information about Drinking Water Week, visit www.awwa.org/advocacy/dww/. To learn more about local Drinking Water Week events, contact your local water utility.