For more than 40 years, American Water Works Association (AWWA) and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives.

The coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on the importance of drinking water for health, hydration and hygiene needs. In the early stages of the pandemic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued separate statements assuring consumers that drinking water was safe to use as normal.

Many communities are fortunate to have reliable access to safe water when they turn on the tap. In large part this stems from the regular testing water utilities are required to undertake to ensure regulatory standards for water quality are met. In fact, every water system must publish a Consumer Confidence Report detailing its water quality.

Water systems play a critical part in consumers’ health, hygiene and hydration. More than a million miles of buried pipes ensure reliable water is transported from collection, through the treatment process to homes or businesses for cleaning, hydration and cooking, which are critical to health and safety.

Water professionals are an essential part of water distribution and quality. Whether it’s an engineer designing a capital project, an operator ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water or a member of a pipe crew maintaining the infrastructure in our community, water professionals work around the clock to ensure tap water is there when you need it.

The District would like to recognize its operators for their diligent work maintaining and repairing water infrastructure in your community during a difficult time. District customers continued to receive safe and reliable water distribution throughout the pandemic.

Thank you, District Operators!