The City of Valdosta will observe National Drinking Water Week with a National Drinking Water Event Day.  On Friday, May 11, Valdosta Mayor John Gayle will kick off the national observance at 10 a.m. by presenting a proclamation at the Water Treatment Plant located at 3863 Guest Road.  Following the proclamation, guests are invited to stay for relay games, plant tours, and lunch.

“Every day, thousands of water customers in our city turn on their faucets with little thought about the water that streams out and how it moves from its initial source through the treatment process and ultimately to our taps.  National Drinking Water Week is a great opportunity to take time to reflect on how essential safe drinking water is to our everyday lives,” said Utilities Director Darryl Muse.

To celebrate National Drinking Water Week, whose theme this year is “Protect the Source,” the city will celebrate the value of drinking water by reinforcing the critical role it plays in our daily lives and in the quality of life we enjoy.

“The City of Valdosta is proud to offer some of the finest drinking water in the State, not only to our citizens but also to the industries that choose to locate in Valdosta due to the quality of our water.  Our Water Treatment Plant is also positioned for growth with the capability of meeting the drinking water needs of our city and its citizens for years to come,” said Mayor John Gayle.

The City of Valdosta Water Treatment Plant was named the 2013 Water Treatment Plant of the Year by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals in the category for groundwater systems that pump over 10 million gallons daily.

“The City of Valdosta is proud to provide quality water services to our customers for public health purposes, fire protection, economic development, and the quality of life for our citizens.  Any measure of a successful community is in some way related to the access of safe water and we are proud of the Water Treatment Plant personnel who are responsible for bringing Valdosta’s water customers quality drinking water every day,” said City Manager Mark Barber.