The value of high quality drinking water to healthy lives is being recognized by water utilities nationwide, including the East Logan Water District during National Drinking Water Week (May 2-8). The weeklong event focuses on educating consumers, community members and officials about the role of safe public drinking water in the health, economy and vitality of communities nationwide.

In celebration of this annual event, Jana Hanks, Office Manager of East Logan Water District makes visits to both Chandlers and Auburn Elementary Schools third grade students and offers a program on water conservation. Teaching children the importance of conserving water is very important, as they are mentors to others in their families to help spread the word on the importance of conserving water each and every day.

The students all receive refillable reusable water bottles along with some other goodies from East Logan. There are also three contests sponsored by East Logan in which the students are encouraged to write an essay, enter a poster contest and a coloring contest on being water smart. These contests are designed to help further educate the high importance of conserving water in the daily walk of each person's life. "The water we have today is the water we have for the rest of our lives". "That is a strong statement and seems to get the attention of the students. Also, being able to survive a month without food versus a week without water is something we should all be aware of", states Jana Hanks.

National Drinking Water Week 2010 Campaign, which is hosted by the American Water Works Association, is a national advocacy event designed to focus on issues associated with drinking water, including making sure that individuals have fresh, safe tap water and knowledge of how valuable the resources are in their daily lives. According to AWWA literature, here in North America, you can drink from virtually any public tap, while in developing nations worldwide, an estimated two million people die every year from preventable waterborne diseases. The Centers for Disease Control names the disinfection of water as one of the top 10 public health accomplishments of the 20th century.

The board and management of East Logan Water District work hard to bring safe, reliable water to residences and businesses whom they serve. "Our customers are most important to us and we strive for perfection in serving them", says Jana Hanks. As an entity to the state-of-the-art facility, Logan Todd Regional Water Commission, located in Guthrie, Kentucky, East Logan Water is very proud of the quality of water that its customers receive.

East Logan Water District challenges not only young children, but adults as well to start today in helping to conserve our most precious natural resource. Water, instantly available at the turn of the tap is something most of us take for granted. East Logan Water trusts that all will strive to be water wise!