Let me ask you a question. When someone asks where your water comes from, do you point to your kitchen faucet, or does your mind go to the lake 30 minutes up the road? Research shows that most Americans give the first answer, evidence that we take our nearly universal access to high-quality drinking water and 24/7 effective wastewater management for granted.
In reality, there is a sophisticated system of reservoirs, treatment facilities, pipes and a water service provider - either a municipality, or a privately run business - to deliver what in many countries is a luxury. And this supply chain goes beyond that old Water Cycle chart we all memorized in school; it's immense, and is used by every one of us. From sewer systems to the town water tower, we rely on a robust system of professionals and technologies to deliver clean water to our homes, businesses and fields.
At the very beginning of this supply chain are the natural systems - the rivers, lakes, streams, aquifers, wetlands and watersheds. Private water companies recognize the well-being of water sources is connected to the quality of drinking water and wastewater systems, and so they've embraced the more holistic approach to water resource management recommended in the Aspen Institute Report that I had the pleasure of participating in last year.
And while companies can foster local environmental programs, all of us have an immense impact on our surroundings, and therefore we must work together to protect local watersheds, clean-up local streams and teach children the importance of being good water stewards.
Companies like Bridgeport-based Aquarion, for example, promote biodiversity on their landholdings to provide safe, natural environments for endangered species. The company's Department of Watershed and Environmental Management recently worked with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the Nature Conservancy and a local ornithologist who spotted bald eagles building a nest on Aquarion's reservoir in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Together, the team of environmentalists tracked the birds to their nest and successfully placed lightweight metal bands on the legs of two young eaglets. This common activity allows scientists to learn more about the range and movements of individual birds, and protect species like the bald eagle.
Private water companies work closely with local, state and national government agencies to facilitate valuable environmental research including state departments of environmental protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service. American Water has established several environmental educational programs including the Davenport Watershed Festival, Iowa Growing Up Green camp and PA Wonderful World of Water camp. American facilitates habitat and animal observation by sponsoring the Audubon Society's Junior World Series of Bird Watching.
Veolia Water leverages a number of environmental efforts to support biodiversity and the local community. In Honolulu, the company reclaims wastewater to irrigate city parks. In Milwaukee, by delaying grass mowing at its South Shore Water Reclamation Facility, Veolia allows migrating, ground-nesting birds to fledge their young before nests are disturbed. The tall grasses attract nesting Boblinks and meadowlarks in the late spring. Providing nesting habitat has become increasingly important for migrating bird species as open space along the Lake Michigan shoreline - a prime migration route for many bird species is sparse.
These commitments are representative of widespread private water industry efforts to maintain and sustain this critical resource. After all, as water providers, the environment is their business.
