“What are some of the first things that you did this morning? Did you jump in the shower? Did you brush your teeth?”
St. Paul Regional Water Services general manager Racquel Vaske represented her people when asking the rhetorical question at a press conference on Monday, the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
“Well, you’re welcome!” she said, drawing giggles when also noting everyone standing there were also thankful clean water was there for personal grooming.
While the Clean Water Act’s signing on Dec. 16, 1974 set up national standards for all public water suppliers, it’s really just a start.
“Water is abundant in Minnesota, but even here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes we cannot afford to take our water supply for granted,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham.
She said a 10-year drinking water action plan is being finalized and will go public early next year.
The action plan outlines existing and emerging threats, serving as a roadmap to ensure safe and sufficient drinking water for everyone.
That includes some 1.1 million people who get their water from private wells.
“Even as we’re looking back and celebrating the great progress we’ve made, we are also planning for the future,” she said.
Included in those plans is to ensure clean water is not a financial burden.
“Such research depends on reliable, ongoing federal funding,” said Annika Bankston, Minneapolis water treatment and distribution director. “Access to high-quality, safe drinking water is a human right.”