THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY HUTCHINSON, CAUSER, BAKER, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLEN, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, KILLION, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, McGEEHAN, MILLARD, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PICKETT, PRESTON, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SCAVELLO, STERN, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHITE, BENNINGHOFF, SCHRODER, MARSICO, DEASY AND ELLIS, APRIL 20, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 20, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of May 1 through 7, 2011, as "Drinking

Water Week" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, While 80% of the earth's surface is covered with

water, only 1% of that water is suitable for human consumption;

and

WHEREAS, Groundwater, the water that soaks into the soil from

raindrops and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings

in beds of rock and sand, makes up about 90% of the fresh water

on earth, not including polar icecaps; and

WHEREAS, Individual water wells tapping groundwater resources

provide high-quality water to many homeowners and businesses;

and

WHEREAS, Few people consider water supply when choosing a

home or when taking a stand on local water supply regulations;

and

WHEREAS, An estimated 2,200 municipally owned or investor-

owned community drinking water systems provide high-quality

water to homeowners and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Federal and State drinking water standards are

upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection for all of

those systems; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates

the rates and service of approximately 118 investor-owned water

companies in this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Pennsylvania Public Utility

Commission is to ensure that safe and reliable service is

provided to ratepayers at a reasonable price; and

WHEREAS, PENNVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment

Authority) is the State agency that provides low-cost financial

assistance for infrastructure improvements to community drinking

water systems; and

WHEREAS, Ongoing interagency cooperation among the Department

of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility

Commission and PENNVEST strengthens drinking water system

viability, enhances service, increases economies of scale,

regionally maximizes efficient water supply and use and fosters

economic development; and

WHEREAS, A new State water plan has been developed to

coordinate regional, county and local water allocation and use,

land development planning and related zoning requirements under

Act 220 of 2002; and

WHEREAS, The American Water Works Association established

"National Drinking Water Week" more than 30 years ago to call

attention to water as a precious natural resource; and

WHEREAS, Water conservation and water quality maintenance are

essential to this Commonwealth and our nation; and

WHEREAS, Because the service provided by viable community

drinking water systems is generally available instantaneously on

a 24-hour basis, many of us take safe and reliable drinking

water for granted; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

week of May 1 through 7, 2011, as "Drinking Water Week" in

Pennsylvania to heighten awareness of drinking water treatment,

monitoring, distribution and related costs and urge all

residents of this Commonwealth to protect our watersheds,

conserve our precious drinking water supply and preserve its

superior quality.