HARTFORD -- World Water Day is being celebrated all over the world on Saturday, March 22, 2014. This day of observance offers an opportunity to reflect on the water we drink and use every day and highlights how fortunate the Greater Hartford Region is to have access to such safe, pure water.
The Metropolitan District has reliably provided water to its member towns for 85 years. Residents’ water rates are among the most affordable in Connecticut and the country. For $1.00, you can purchase one gallon of name brand bottled water or have 299 gallons of MDC water delivered right to your tap.
When compared to other public and private water companies in Connecticut and throughout the country, MDC rates are among the lowest.
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More importantly, MDC water is safe, pure and better than the water available in most of the country. The MDC is very fortunate to have heavily forested watersheds, which help safeguard the water supplies by acting as a natural filter and buffer to potential contaminants. A well-managed forested watershed is the first line of defense for protecting water from pollution and maintaining high quality drinking water. Many other watersheds lack this protection resulting in sub-par water quality. The MDC owns 31,000 acres of land, 89.7 square miles of watersheds, a 30-billion gallon Barkhamsted Reservoir, and a 9.5-billion gallon Nepaug Reservoir in Northwestern Connecticut.
The average American household uses approximately 300 gallons of water a day and we do it without thinking. It’s very easy to take for granted what people in other parts of the world would consider a luxury.” World Water Day has been observed on March 22 since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared the day as "World Day for Water”. Participation has grown significantly ever since and to show support, the general public is encouraged to not use their taps throughout the whole day.
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The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. This year the focus is on Water and Energy and is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the 'bottom billion' who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services.
About the MDC: The MDC is a nonprofit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929. The MDC provides water, sewer, and household hazardous waste collection to its member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. In addition, under a series of special agreements, the District supplies treated water to portions of Glastonbury, South Windsor, Farmington, East Granby, Unionville, and Portland.
Contact:
Kerry E. Martin
The Metropolitan District
Office: (860) 278-7850, ext. 3203
Email: kmartin@themdc.com
