December 12, 2003

By: Dustin Cyril
Website: http://www.water-purification-filters.com

Water watchdog and water companies challenge youngsters to pull the plug on tap water's 'boring' reputation

With this year’s water quality figures at record levels, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and water companies hope to show how important a supply of safe clean water is.

Pupils in England and Wales are being invited to enter a competition, with the top prize of a trip to Stockholm as a special delegate to the International Water Association’s conference. Michael Rouse, chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Government’s drinking water watchdog, said:

“The quality of tap water in England and Wales is at record levels, with a 99.86% compliance rate, because of strong enforcement coupled with heavy investment by the supply companies.” “We have seen it improve year-on-year for the last decade, yet many young people do not understand where water comes from and how it is treated to make it healthy and safe. The importance of drinking sufficient quantities of water each day is now recognised, with reduced mental and physical performance if we don’t.”

“We want children here to understand the operational and regulatory controls which achieve high quality tap water here, and to recognise how fortunate they are to have safe water on tap. This is the first time we have held a competition like this, and we hope that it will stimulate children to want to learn more about water supplies here and in less fortunate parts of the world”

Best-selling children’s author Jacqueline Wilson has given her backing to the competition, which has artistic and literary categories. 9-11 years old school children are being invited to take part, with selected entries to be included in an educational book about the science of water. Profits from its sale will go to Water Aid, the charity which campaigns for clean drinking water across the world.

Mr Rouse added, “The competition and the resultant book are both tied to the National Curriculum, and we are convinced that teachers will see this as bringing both health and educational benefits to their pupils.”

“Water companies already do much excellent educational work in our schools, and we hope that this competition will build on that.”

Author Notes:

Dustin Cyril contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.water-purification-filters.com.  Get educated on the benefits of water purification systems and water filters available.