BALTIMORE, MD (May 3, 2013) – Director Alfred H. Foxx asks everyone to join the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) in celebrating Drinking Water Week, May 5 – 11, 2013. Starting in 1988, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) began this public information campaign to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. This was subsequently endorsed by the United States Congress declaring the first week in May as Drinking Water Week.

Through the efforts of AWWA and its members, including DPW, the National Drinking Water Alliance was formed of 15 nonprofit educational, professional and public interest organizations. It is dedicated to public education about public and private drinking water issues. Through this Alliance, Drinking Water Week continues to grow with committed participation throughout the United States and Canada.

In Baltimore, DPW is celebrating Drinking Water Week by installing enlargements of historic photographs of our water system on the fence around Lake Montebello. Some of these have never before been seen by the public; most have been scanned from original glass plate negatives. This free outdoor exhibit will run through May 19.

“Baltimore’s award-winning drinking water is among the best in the country,” noted Director Foxx. “From our reservoirs to your tap, the water is protected, processed and pumped to guarantee only the highest quality product. Our excellent drinking water is one more reason why Baltimore will grow by 10,000 families over the next ten years.”    

Baltimore City’s water, serving 2.1 million people daily, comes from three raw water reservoirs: Liberty, Prettyboy and Loch Raven. It is filtered at three treatment plants: Montebello I and II and Ashburton. Baltimore is investing $300 million over the next five years as part of an accelerated program to replace and rehabilitate our aging water mains.

To learn more about Baltimore water, please visit: www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org