With a twist of the wrist, water flows from a faucet and its convenience rarely crosses our minds. That is of course, unless there is a problem or reason to question its availability. Unfortunately, it often takes an alarming event (cue the recent West Virginia or North Carolina chemical spills) to remind us of the essential role water plays in our lives. Delivering clean, safe water is the top priority for drinking water utilities, and National Drinking Water Week (May 4 – 10, 2014) provides an opportunity for water suppliers and industry professionals to celebrate tap water in the communities they serve. In the Washington area, regional water utilities are participating in a series of events that highlight the value of water and promote the TapIt Metro D.C. partnership, a network of businesses in DC, Maryland and Virginia that offer free tap water to anyone with a reusable container. To find free tap water on the go, visit www.freetapwater.org for more information.

In addition to saluting tap water, utilities are raising awareness about infrastructure needs and the importance of protecting drinking water supplies. "Those buried pipes deliver the water that is vital to life and economic vitality," said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. "Without a high quality drinking water system, communities cannot thrive. We must be unwavering in our efforts to restore and maintain our drinking water systems."

There are many opportunities to visit your local water utility during National Drinking Water Week, and the week’s activities will culminate with a regional promotion in collaboration with the 2014 Smithsonian Garden Fest, suitably themed, Water, Water, Everywhere. Customers are encouraged to visit any of the public events listed below to get drinking water information, free water and giveaways.

Regional Drinking Water Week Events

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Source Water Celebrations
Saturday, May 3 at 8 a.m., Warbler Day Hike at Triadelphia Reservoir’s Pig Tail Recreation Area, 5600 Green Bridge Road, Dayton, MD
Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m., Wildflower and Tree Tour at Rocky Gorge Reservoir’s Brown’s Bridge Recreation Area, 2220 Ednor Rd, Silver Spring, MD

DC Water "Tap Vs. Bottled" Taste Test at Dupont Circle Fresh Farm Market
Sunday, May 4, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
20th St. NW between Massachusetts Ave. and Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC

WSSC at Bowie Baysox Prince George’s Stadium
Sunday, May 4 at 2:05 p.m., 4101 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD

Loudoun Water at Loudoun Earthday Celebration
Sunday, May 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
42920 Broadlands Blvd., Broadlands, VA 20148 (Adjacent to Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm)

DC Water at Nationals Park (Nationals vs. Dodgers)
Monday, May 5 at 7:05 p.m., 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC (main concourse near left field entrance to section 106)
To purchase discounted tickets, enter DCWATER in the coupon code box at www.nationals.com/tickets.

WSSC Children’s Water Festival at Brighton Dam
Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., 2 Brighton Dam Road, Brookeville, MD

Regional utilities at Smithsonian Garden Fest: Water, Water, Everywhere
May 9, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle on Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC
Participating utilities include DC Water, Fairfax Water, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Prince William County Service Authority, and City of Rockville.

For more information about Drinking Water Week events, please contact the appropriate water utility.

DC Water: 202-787-2200 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
WSSC: 301-206-8233 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Loudoun Water: 571-291-7700 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

About Drinking Water Week
For more than 35 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week. It is a unique opportunity for water professionals and the public to recognize the value of water and the systems that sustain public water services.