In celebration of Drinking Water Week, May 6-12, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is urging Missourians to forego bottled water and choose a more environmental friendly alternative – tap water.

The benefits of tap water are numerous

• It’s cheaper than bottled water; a gallon of tap water costs about a penny.
• It’s better for the environment; most water bottles end up in a landfill.
• It’s safe, and tested far more extensively than bottled water; in fact many brands of bottled water are straight-up tap water.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Public Drinking Water Branch regulates public water supplies in Missouri, and overall, public water systems in Missouri have an extraordinary compliance record.  Each water system is responsible for monitoring conditions at individual water plants and is required to employ trained operators certified by the Department of Natural Resources.  Learn more about how the Department of Natural Resources protects your drinking water by visiting http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dw-index.htm.