The week of May 5-11, 2013, will be recognized as "Drinking Water Week" in Pennsylvania, following passage Wednesday of House Resolution 271, authored by Rep. Ron Miller (R- York), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

"We often take for granted what comes out when we open a tap or faucet to get a glass of water," Rep. Miller said. "This is a gentle reminder of the need to conserve this precious commodity, and appreciate employees of the estimated 2,200 community drinking water systems throughout Pennsylvania who work hard to maintain the safe, clean water we drink."

Rep. Miller's legislation also ties in with House Bill 343, his legislation which would create water well construction standards for Pennsylvania, one of two states that do not currently have such regulations in place.

"Approximately one million private wells supply drinking water to more than three million Pennsylvanians, and about 20,000 new wells are drilled every year," Rep. Miller reminded. "My legislation addresses everyone's right to and expectation of clean water, as well as the health risks associated with an unsafe water supply.

"With 90 percent of the earth as water, and only 1 percent of that being fit for human consumption, protecting the integrity of our water supply is vital."

4/29/2013