This week Platte Canyon, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the water community across the country will celebrate Drinking Water Week. It’s an opportunity for water professionals and the community to recognize the importance of water in our daily lives. AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week for more than 40 years.
To celebrate the week, water utilities, water organizations, government entities, schools and environmental advocates will participate in presentations, events and festivals, providing information to consumers on understanding and appreciating their water. There is also an emphasis on how water consumers can take part in caring for their tap water and helping to protect it at its source.
The following tips are ways in which you can practice water conservation.
- Repair any leaky faucets or running toilets.
- Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they are completely full.
- Turn off water while brushing teeth and shaving, only turning on to rinse.
- Install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads.
- Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation.
- Use a broom to clean off walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.
Platte Canyon and the AWWA also encourage water consumers to get to know their local water source. It’s very easy to gain information about your local water. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires water utilities to provide customers with an annual water quality report, also called the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR determines the quality of local drinking water and detects any contaminates. Check the Platte Canyon website next week for the 2019 CCR. Information on local water sources are also available though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “How’s My Waterway?” and on DrinkTap.org.