News Release 270
Missourians urged to drink tap water
Volume 38-270 (For Immediate Release)
Contact: Larry Archer
573-751-3807
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 3, 2010—In celebration of Drinking Water Week, May 2-8, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is urging Missourians to forego bottled water and choose a more environmental friendly alternative – tap water.
The benefits of tap water are numerous:
- It’s cheaper than bottled water; a gallon of tap water costs about a penny.
- It’s better for the environment; most water bottles end up in a landfill.
- It’s safe, and tested far more extensively than bottled water; in fact many brands of bottled water are straight-up tap water.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Public Drinking Water Branch regulates public water supplies in Missouri, and overall, public water systems in Missouri have an extraordinary compliance record.
Each water system is responsible for monitoring conditions at individual water plants and is required to employ trained operators certified by the Department of Natural Resources.
Water systems in Missouri are required to regularly test drinking water for more than 100 different contaminants. A state-approved laboratory must analyze these samples and the results must be reported to the department. The majority of testing is done at the Department of Natural Resources' and the Department of Health and Senior Services' labs, at no cost to the systems, saving the consumers money.
For more information, visit dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dw-index.htm, or call the Department of Natural Resources’ public Drinking Water Branch at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-1825.
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