Lately there's been a lot of talk about getting back to what's important, returning to the essential elements of our lives. And really what's more essential than water? It's our most precious natural resource, playing a vital role in our daily lives, so during National Drinking Water Week, East Logan Water Celebrates the Essential, they Celebrate Water.

East Logan Water District is pleased to announce their celebration of National Drinking Water Week with an educational presentation on water conservation for all 3rd grade students in both Chandlers Elementary School and Lewisburg Elementary School. Jana Hanks, Public Relations Manager with East Logan makes the annual visits to the schools to share with the students the importance of water conservation. The program is designed to teach young people the importance of water conservation and to recognize that the water we have today is the only water we will ever have. And the thought that we can live without food for one month but without water only one week really turns some heads and makes people realize just how important water is to each of us every single day.

"National Drinking Water Week is a perfect time to educate children about their water supply in an atmosphere of fun", says Jana. East Logan's efforts to focus on youth and encourage children to conserve water has taken their program to a level of in which they are very proud of. "Teaching practical water conservation tips to young children is very important, it's a fun time of year to visit the schools and teach the students the importance of saving water everyday", says Jana Hanks. "Teaching children to practice water conservation at home, at school, at the ballpark, at church, at grandparents or friends homes, or wherever they are is very important. Recognizing that a faucet is running wide open or a toilet is running and that water going down the drain costs money is something that children will learn and practice and have a watchful eye as they grow older and only makes responsible water wise kids", says Jana.

Drinking Water Week is an opportunity to focus on the importance of water which is too easily overlooked. A safe, reliable water supply is essential to the success of any community. In addition to keeping hydrated, water also supports the economy, prevents fires and provides us with the high quality of life we enjoy. East Logan celebrates water by recognizing the essential role it plays in our daily lives, with special attention to the future of water, water infrastructure and the economy.

The theme for National Drinking Water Week this year is Water ~ Celebrate the Essential. For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

Spotlighting the accomplishments of the students that were winners in the contests that East Logan Water sponsors in conjunction with their educational program, congratulations goes out to the following:

Chandlers Elementary School Essay Winner-Jordan Moberly, Coloring Contest Winner-Hadley Brown, Poster Contest Winner, Dallas Simmons, Poster Contest 2nd Place, Shaina Johnson and Poster Contest 3rd Place, Hadley Brown.

Lewisburg Elementary School Essay Winner-Hayley Schweers, Coloring Contest Winner-Jacob Whittemore, Poster Contest Winner, Adrian Brown, Poster Contest 2nd Place, Jacob Whittemore, and Poster Contest 3rd Place, Jillian Long.

Each of the winners in the three contests received Chuck-E-Cheese gift cards, "I'm a Water Wise Kid" tee shirt, Crayola Art Sets and a Certificate of Recognition. Essay winners also received a $100 savings bond.

All students participating in the program at both Chandlers and Lewisburg Schools received a reusable, refillable water bottle, and goodie bags. Jana Hanks is very excited about this program that East Logan has offered for a number of years and she loves working with the students and teaching them and also listening to them as they share of ways in which they practice water conservation in their homes and at school. East Logan has found that working with young people is a great way to reach out to older siblings and even adults that may not realize the importance that water is in our daily lives. The students are always eager to learn the importance of saving water and to serve as mentors to others to help pass on what they have learned and also to know the importance of using tap water versus bottled water.

Each student also received in their goodie bags a Delta Dental toothbrush to promote the importance of using tap water which includes treatment of fluoride which is not in bottled water. East Logan also advises that bottled water is very expensive compared to tap water and encourages everyone to turn on the tap!

East Logan Water proudly displays a bulletin board spotlighting the works of these young scholars that participate in this program in the lobby of their office located at 399 East Main Street in Auburn, and also will soon be posted on East Logan's website at www.eastloganwater.com as well as their annual newsletter.

Only tap water delivers and Celebrating the Essential ~ Water, is something that East Logan Water District strongly believes in and hopes that we all do our part to be water smart.