SR0802enr 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

09600SR0802 Enrolled LRB096 22148 GRL 40815 r

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 802

WHEREAS, Water is our most valuable natural resource; and

WHEREAS, Tap water provides vital public health and fire protection; tap water also provides support for our economy and sustains the quality of life we enjoy; and

WHEREAS, Each American consumes approximately 50-plus gallons of water a day on average; and

WHEREAS, All measures of a successful society, including low mortality rates, economic growth and diversity, productivity, and public safety, are all in some way related to access to safe drinking water; and

WHEREAS, Every citizen is called upon to help protect our source waters from pollution and to promote water conservation; the United States Environmental Protection Agency suggests that if each resident fixed all their household water leaks and put in low-flow shower heads today, they could reduce their water consumption by 25%; and

WHEREAS, True cost pricing of water is an important element in present and future water conservation, in contrast to water rates that are artificially low due to various subsidies; and

WHEREAS, It is critical to the future health and growth of the State of Illinois that both private and public systems continue to invest in our water infrastructure; the U.S. EPA estimates that there is a $330 billion dollar gap in water infrastructure investment throughout our nation; the State of Illinois should continue to promote investment in its water infrastructure both in public and private systems; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that adequate funding be made available for the State of Illinois to ensure that essential research and analysis of Illinois' current and future water needs can be done by organizations such as the Illinois Water Survey and the State Regional Water Supply Committees; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we join with the rest of the nation in celebrating National Drinking Water Week from May 3 through May 9, 2010 and applaud the people who work hard every day to ensure that the citizens of the State of Illinois have safe, fresh, reliable, high-quality drinking water; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves over the next year to vigorously raising the consciousness of the public on the importance of safe water resources.