What is Drinking Water Week?

Drinking Water Week is an annual celebration that takes place during the first full week of May.

Started over 40 years ago by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Drinking Water Week is a celebration of the vital role water plays in our daily lives and of the water professionals who work to ensure clean, sustainable drinking water is there when we need it.

  • Learn more about Drinking Water Week

One way to celebrate? Learn where your water comes from.

Public Water:

  • About 90% of folks in the U.S. depend on a public water system to treat, store and distribute drinking water to their homes.

  • If this is you, check your water bill and/or with your municipality to find out where your water comes from. Municipalities either provide water directly or use a private company to provide water to residents.

  • Regardless, all public water systems are required to publish an annual drinking water quality report, known as a Consumer Confidence Report. This report tells you where your water comes from and provides information about the quality of your water.

Private Wells:

  • About 10% of folks in the U.S. are on private wells.

  • If this is you, it is recommended that private wells be tested at least once a year to ensure that the water is safe to drink.

  • Contact your local health department or state environmental agency to learn how to test your well water.

Other ways to celebrate Drinking Water Week include:

  • Volunteer for a clean-up or tree planting in your community

  • Use less water around the home or at work

  • Learn about water and how you can help keep it clean

  • Support investment in critical water infrastructure

What about the DRBC?

At the DRBC, we have been working to manage, protect and improve the Basin’s water resources since 1961. 

  • Our water supply and planning programs support water conservation, efficiency and resiliency, from the source to the tap. Looking to the future, ensuring a secure, sustainable water supply is also key. The DRBC has recently published reports on water use trends and projections, groundwater availability and future water storage options in the Basin.

  • The DRBC's flow management program ensures that there is enough freshwater in the river to support its various uses, even during times of drought.

  • DRBC water quality programs protect Delaware River source water used for drinking.

Water is Life

Water is often taken for granted. Turn on the tap, and it's there. But, we know that it’s not that simple. Water is a finite resource that we all need to survive. Less than 3% of the water on Earth is freshwater and, of that, only about 0.5% is available for humans to drink. 

This Drinking Water Week and every week, we recognize the water professionals who work every day to ensure everyone has access to safe drinking water. Thank you!