May 5-11, 2019 is National Drinking Water Week. This annual event is hosted by the American Water Works Association to recognize the vital role drinking water plays in daily lives. This year’s theme, “Protect the Source,” focuses on ways water consumers can take personal responsibility in caring for their tap water and protecting it at its source.
Penacook Lake is the primary water source for Concord, New Hampshire. The City of Concord is a leader for source water protection by owning the surrounding land of the lake and prohibiting all recreational activity on Penacook Lake since 1951. The lake is closed to recreational activity which prohibits access to provide a barrier of protection for Concord’s water consumers, qualifying the raw water as a “Class A” body of water. During dry periods, the lake is supplemented when necessary with water from the Contoocook River. The Water Treatment Facility processes an average of 4 million gallons of water a day.
Water is vital to daily life. From source to tap, Concord General Services works to ensure the Concord community has continued access to the best quality of water at all times. “Concord has relied on Penacook Lake since 1872 as its primary water resource,” states Marco Philippon, Water Treatment Superintendent for the City of Concord. “It’s important to protect that resource to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply for future generations.”
Let’s all learn more about our local H2O and practice conservation methods to protect the source in celebration of Drinking Water Week. Learn more by visiting www.concordnh.gov/water.