As Drinking Water Week continues, DC Water and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) join water professionals across North America to emphasize the importance of a reliable and cost-effective water supply to our overall quality of life – from public health protection and fire suppression to the critical role that tap water plays in supporting the economy.

“Water is life!” said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “While most people don’t stop to think about the delivery of clean tap water, it is essential to all that we do. In the District, a building cannot be occupied if it doesn’t have working water and sewer service. Every office building, every restaurant, every museum relies on us to remain open and operational.”

There are 600,000 residents, just as many employees and 17.8 million annual visitors to DC who count on DC Water to provide these critical services.

Public Health Protection
In a world where an estimated eight million people die every day from preventable waterborne diseases, people in North America can drink from virtually any public tap with assurance that they are drinking high quality water. Without our modern water systems, diseases such as cholera and dysentery would be a tragic part of everyday life.

Fire Protection
In the United States and Canada, more than 1.5 million house fires occur each year. While most of us never think about fires until they occur, there is a vast network of water infrastructure in place to protect us when they do.

Support for the Economy
Though often taken for granted, tap water is critical to the daily operations of existing businesses and to the vitality of new commercial enterprises and residential developments. From foods and beverages, to toothpastes and perfumes, water is the primary ingredient in hundreds of thousands of every day products.

For more information on DC Water’s tap water, please visit http://www.dcwater.com/tap

About Drinking Water Week
For more than 35 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.