Monday, April 26, 2021

Drinking Water Week

"The risk of getting COVID-19 through drinking water, recreational water, or wastewater transmission is low. Get answers to other questions about COVID-19 and water.


Have you ever stopped to think about how many times a day you use water from a faucet? Learn more about 
where your drinking water comes from and what makes it safe to use during Drinking Water Week (May 2–8, 2021).

Drinking water refers to the water that comes out of our tap or bottled water. Every day, people rely on safe drinking water in many different ways, such as for handwashing, bathing, cooking, washing clothes, and drinking.

The United States has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world. It’s important to know how water gets to our faucets and what makes it safe to use. Protecting our water sources is an ongoing challenge, but controlling wastewater discharges and repairing broken septic systems near drinking water sources can greatly reduce germs in our source water.

Drinking Water Week

Drinking Water Weekexternal icon is an annual observance sponsored by the American Water Works Associationexternal icon in May to recognize the critical role drinking water plays in our daily lives. This year’s theme, “There When You Need It,” highlights the work water professionals do around-the-clock to ensure high-quality drinking water is always available at your tap, right when you need it.

Keeping Tap Water Safe and Healthy

Over the last 100 years, many improvements in the health, success, and lifespan of the U.S. population can be linked to improvements in water quality. Providing safe drinking water was one of the most important public health achievements of the 20th century. Water treatment (methods to reduce germs or chemicals that cause illness) have helped ensure access to healthy and safe water for millions of Americans.

Government regulations have helped reduce pollution of the bodies of water that supply our drinking water systems over the years. However, treating water to kill or remove contaminants like harmful germs or chemicals is still critical to making sure that water is safe to drink. Drinking water can become contaminated:

  • In the original water source (for example, a river)
  • Through inadequate water treatment
  • In storage tanks
  • In drinking water distribution systems (the pipes that carry water to homes, businesses, schools, and other buildings).."
    Drinking water
     

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