ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 157

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 12, 1997

By Assemblymen CORODEMUS, WOLFE and Holzapfel

An Assembly Resolution designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 1997 as Safe Drinking Water Week in New Jersey.

Whereas, The maintenance of a safe drinking water supply is essential to the health and well-being of New Jersey residents, who consume approximately 204 billion gallons of water annually; and

Whereas, New Jersey's water supply is served by sensitive groundwater and surface water sources, including the Cohansey, Kirkwood, Mt. Laurel/Wehonah, Englishtown and Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifers; and

Whereas, Various State and federal laws have been enacted over the years to protect and preserve our drinking water supplies, including the federal "Safe Drinking Water Act," P.L.93-523 (42 U.S.C. § 300 et seq.), the State "Safe Drinking Water Act," P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et seq.), the federal "Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972," P.L.92-500 (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the State "Water Pollution Control Act, P.L. 1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.), and the federal "Clean Water Act," (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.); and

Whereas, New Jersey-based companies such as New Jersey-American Water Company have contributed to the continued high quality of the State's drinking water through the operation of its state-of-the-art Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant while protecting the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer from overuse; and

Whereas, While it is fitting and appropriate to recognize past and ongoing efforts to safeguard the State's drinking water supply, it is also essential to educate the public about ways in which everyone can contribute to safe drinking water, and to raise the level of awareness of the importance of a safe drinking water supply; and

Whereas, The nation's water suppliers annually celebrate the first week of May as Safe Drinking Water Week; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House designates the week of May 4 through May 10, 1997 as Safe Drinking Water Week in New Jersey.

    2.    Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Governor of the State of New Jersey, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health.

STATEMENT

    This resolution designates the week of May 4 through May 10, 1997 as Safe Drinking Water Week in New Jersey.

Designates first week in May as Safe Drinking Water Week.