Division of Water
Celebrate 'The Wonder of Water'

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 2, 2006) – “The Wonder of Water" is the theme for Drinking Water Week, May 7-13, 2006, an opportunity to celebrate and help protect safe, reliable drinking water. In Kentucky, it also falls at the beginning of Water Awareness Month, an educational program of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
 
Both celebrations are intended to raise public awareness and to motivate people to be “water wise” to protect and conserve water resources.
 
Noting that our health, comfort and standard of living depend upon an abundant supply of safe drinking water and that citizens of our state should have a safe and dependable supply of water both now and in the future, Gov. Ernie Fletcher has proclaimed May 7-13 as Drinking Water Week and called upon each citizen to help protect our source water from pollution, to practice water conservation and to get involved in local water issues.

Some “water wise” suggestions for Drinking Water Week and every week include:

• Use water only when you need it and turn off the faucet when you are finished. Don’t let water run.
• Instead of letting water run until cold, keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator.
• Mulch around trees and plants to help retain water.
• When landscaping, think of xeriscaping, using native plants adapted to our climate.
• Don't throw junk or litter into rivers or lakes. Save the habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
• Use less water in your toilet by placing a plastic milk carton filled with water inside the toilet tank.
• Do not flush pharmaceuticals in the toilet or down any other drain.
  Repair leaky faucets.
• Save water, energy and money with a new Energy Star clothes washer. The 2007 models can save more than 7,000 gallons of water a year.
• For more savings when washing clothes, wash full loads only. Use the same principle for dish washers.

Contact your local water utility for more information on becoming water wise in your community or contact the Kentucky Division of Water at (502) 564-3410.  The Division of Water offers household hints and tips for conserving water at http://www.water.ky.gov/wateruse/conserve/.  You can also call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.  For information about Drinking Water Week, visit the American Water Works Association scrapbook at http://www.awwa.org/advocacy/dww/. 

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