Md. Reminds Residents it's Drinking Water Week

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Maryland Department of the Environment is reminding state residents that this is Drinking Water Week.

The department, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of the state's public water systems, says the national observance recognizes the importance of protecting water resources.

Secretary of the Environment Robert Summers says this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act, which he says has done more to clean streams, rivers and bays than any other federal legislation. Summers says the state is working with the federal Environmental Protection Agency to protect the public from contaminants in drinking water and National Drinking Water Week is one way to spread the word about the importance of safeguarding water supplies.