Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Every day, every moment, from early morning to late night hours we constantly rely on high-quality tap water; as we are using a toilet, washing our hands, doing laundry, cooking dinner for the family or simply drinking. Drinking Water Week provides an opportunity to stop for a second and reflect on where our drinking water comes from and where it is going.

The 35th Annual Drinking Water Week was scheduled from May 7-13, 2017. Drinking Water week is nationally recognized by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and water professionals across North America. Drinking Water Week celebrations are observed each year in May to recognize the role drinking water plays in our daily lives. "Your water: To know it is to love it!" is this year's theme, and it encourages everyone to get to know more about the water they drink.

On Tuesday, May 9, 2017 in celebration of Drinking Water Week, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Utility provided an opportunity for AP Biology and Environmental Science students at Salmon River High School to learn and explore how safe drinking water is provided to communities all over the nation. This unique experience encompassed a tour of the water and wastewater Treatment Facilities that are run by Shawn Martin, Utilities Manager, and his crew of operators at the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal reservation.

The focus on this field trip was to press the urgency for better water conservation practices, teaching students the 3 P's Rule, learning about career opportunities, and gaining an eye opening, behind-the-scenes experience of water utilities. Students were given water bottles to encourage the use of tap water, which they tasted at the water treatment plant. Water bottles not only provide a reusable container for drinking water, but are the best alternative to buying bottled water. With the success of the event, the hope is that word spreads around your community to encourage water awareness and the importance of our water and wastewater operators.

This event was a team effort, coordinated with the Salmon River High School. We would like to send a special thank you to HS guidance counselor Andrea Martin, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Utility, Shawn Martin, Jordan Lauzon, Tim Cornelison, and USET (United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.) Technical Assistance Specialist Marta Reczko and Carissa Castillo. Thank you also to teachers, John Aldrich and Huong Hoag for their efforts and encouragement. This event was a huge success and will not be the last.

For more information on Drinking Water Week go to http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DrinkingWater or to AWWA at http://www.awwa.org.