, which takes place annually on the fourth Sunday of September, is a time to celebrate our waterways, and here in Pennsylvania, we have much to celebrate.
Unfortunately, this is no easy feat, because the average drinking water system in Pennsylvania is about 50 years old, and most sewer systems in Pennsylvania average 75 years old. On top of this, water companies – whether they are municipal-run or investor-owned – must upgrade aging pipes and plants to comply with regulations while keeping communities safe and bills affordable.
Just like we invest money on an ongoing basis to update our roofs to prevent rain from damaging our homes, we should be doing the same for our water infrastructure. Ongoing investment in water infrastructure too will prevent catastrophic impacts and help protect our rivers and streams and the quality of our drinking water.
We’ve already seen the positive results of local governments empowered to make the best decision for their communities across the state – including here in Hershey where I live. Our drinking water system is operated by Pennsylvania American Water, which delivers over 6.5 million gallons of water per day to places like Annville, Conewango, Palmyra, South Hanover, South Londonderry, and West Hanover. Their ongoing, smart investment has earned the Hershey system national recognition from the U.S.