| Bipartisan group introduces U.S. House resolution to establish Source Water Protection Week
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Bipartisan group introduces U.S. House resolution to establish Source Water Protection Week

(Washington, DC) – Today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution to formally establish the week of Sept. 25 as National Source Water Protection Week.

Introduced with leadership from Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), the resolution acknowledges the necessity of a resilient supply of safe drinking water for the health and success of the country.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and many partners celebrated the first Source Water Protection Week during the last week of September 2021. Continuing that tradition this week, many water utilities, advocates, agricultural groups and others are hosting events, posting social media messages and issuing proclamations.

Source Water Protection Week information and celebration materials are available on AWWA’s Source Water Protection resource page.

“The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the entire water community are grateful for the leadership of U.S. Reps. Axne and Miller-Meeks in protecting our nation’s precious drinking water sources,” said AWWA Immediate Past President Chi Ho Sham, who was instrumental in creating the observance. “Source Water Protection Week reminds all of us that we play an important role in caring for our rivers, lakes and underground aquifers to protect our drinking water and health.”

In addition to Reps. Axne and Miller-Meeks, the resolution is co-sponsored by Reps. John Curtis (UT-03), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), David Trone (MD-06), and Susie Lee (NV-03). The resolution was formally endorsed by Iowa Water Quality Consulting, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and the Iowa Farmer's Union.

The resolution “supports the protection of source water for public health and economic prosperity; recognizes the central role of water in sustaining life and supports innovative ways to conserve, protect, and restore the Nation’s drinking water sources; supports collaboration at the local, State, and Federal levels to achieve greater awareness, education, and engagement to protect and enhance drinking water supplies; and supports investments for more resilient and reliable drinking water sources, both ground and surface water, to better withstand the impacts of extreme floods and droughts.”

“Everyone deserves access to safe drinking water and a cleaner environment, and that starts with protecting our nation’s source water,” said Rep. Axne. “I’m glad to lead my colleagues in this effort recognizing the importance of protecting our nation’s source water and reaffirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to creating a healthier, stronger future.”

“Protecting our source water is a critical part of providing clean drinking water to communities across Iowa,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “We all want to leave a healthier planet for our children and grandchildren, which is why I’m proud to help lead this resolution recognizing Natural Source Water Protection Week.”

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Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.

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