Make every drop count

HARRISBURG — This week is National Drinking Water Week, May 3-9. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourages Pennsylvanians to conserve water and make every drop count.

“DEP is a trustee of Pennsylvania’s natural resources, and pure water is the most important of them all,” said Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley. "National Drinking Water Week emphasizes our continued role in making Pennsylvania’s water resources safe for everyone in the commonwealth."

Safe drinking water starts at home, whether you access public water or a private well. To keep pollution out of water sources, consider these steps:

Appropriately use, store, and dispose of household substances safely, rather than pouring them down the drain;

Test private well water annually for bacteria contamination;

Inspect household wells annually; and

Move possible contamination sources, such as kennels or livestock operations, waste systems or chemical storage areas a safe distance from nearby wells.

To conserve Pennsylvania’s water sources:

Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth;

Take short showers instead of baths;

Install low-flow plumbing fixtures on showerheads and faucets;

Check for household leaks and monitor your water bill for high usage;

Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads;

Install a rain barrel outside the house to collect rainwater and reuse it in daily household chores, such as watering the lawn or washing the car; and

Wash your pets outdoors in areas of the lawn that need water.

To learn more about what is in public drinking water, ask your water provider for a copy of your system’s water quality, or Consumer Confidence, report. The general public can find information about their systems at DEP’s online Drinking Water Reporting System.

For more information about drinking water visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click the “Drinking Water Week” banner at the top of the homepage.