FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 3, 2005) – “The Wonder of Water" is the theme for Drinking Water Week, May 1-7.  It is meant to raise public awareness of drinking water issues and public motivation to protect and conserve water resources. The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act provide consumers with greater access to information about their water and opportunities to participate in drinking water issues. 

Thanks to the Act, today you can find out the ingredients in that glass of water because of a “right-to-know” annual water report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report, published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Public water systems must notify customers when a drinking water standard is violated.  The public can become involved in development of strategies to improve the way a water system functions (technical, financial, managerial capacity development strategy).

Drinking water contaminant databases are publicly accessible by Internet. You can locate your drinking water supplier and view its regulatory history.  And there is increased communication, outreach and education by EPA and the federal Centers for Disease Control on waterborne disease.

EPA maintains the Safe Drinking Water Hotline so members of the public can easily obtain information or find out how they can become involved.  Contact the Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.  Or contact your local water utility for more information on how you can help and become water-wise in your community.  Be sure to read the utility’s Consumer Confidence Report, published each July.  To become involved in capacity development or to view an example public notice, visit http://www.water.ky.gov/dw/.

For access to EPA’s drinking water databases, visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/.

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