California Celebrates First Tap Water Day on May 7, 2015

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - Join WeTap, LADWP, Mayor Garcetti and the City of LA, The State Water Board, Cal EPA, LA County Department of Public Health and water agencies across California to celebrate the nation’s first Tap Water Day on May 7, 2015. Tap water day will promote the installation of hydration stations (drinking fountains that also are equipped to refill reusable bottles) across California and highlight the location and condition of existing local fountains in communities across California. Sponsors City of Los Angeles – Mayor’s Office, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power California State Water Resources Control Board Health Happens Here, The California Endowment California-Nevada Section of Association of Water Works Association WeTap.org (WeTap improves awareness, access and use of public drinking fountains, reducing dependence on single use plastic water bottles) Agenda The program takes place on May 7, 2015 at Balboa Sports Center, 17015 Burbank Blvd, Encino, California 91316. Balboa Sports Center was selected as the site for this celebration because it uses reclaimed water and an acre of turf has been replaced by mulch. Guests should arrive at 9:15 a.m. Program scheduled from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Theme: Pure Clean Refreshing Tap. Draft invitation will be ready & issued within this week. California Recreation and Parks (RAP) will unveil four water bottle filling stations at Balboa Sports Center, one of its heavily-used centers for sports activities, jogging, exercises, and family activities. Constituents using these bottle filling stations will be able to refill their water containers and carry them for hydration as they do their physical activities in the park. Water will be promoted as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. With the approach of summer and increased need for hydration during warmer weather, the water filling stations or 'hydration stations' are important City assets. RAP will invite school children who frequently use the sports center to the event so they can see the new bottle filling stations. The premium quality of our tap water will be highlighted throughout this event. LADWP will have a strong presence with its Pure Clean Refreshing Tap water trailer. Schedule of Events I. Welcoming Remarks - Barbara Romero, Deputy Mayor, City Services - L.A. City Councilmember Nury Martinez II. What is Tap Water Day? - Marcie Edwards, LADWP General Manager III. Key Partners (brief speeches) - Representative from United States EPA – John Kemmerer, Associate Director, Water Division, U.S. EPA Region 9 - Representative from The State Water Resources Control Board - Frances Spivy-Weber, Vice Chair - Representative from L.A. County Public Health - Representative from AWWA - Sue Mosburg, Chair - Representative from WeTap - Evelyn Wendel IV. Mayoral Proclamation - Matt Petersen, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of LA V. Unveiling of new bottle filling stations - Michael Shull, RAP GM VI. Distribution of free reusable water bottles by AWWA and LADWP. Note: Save the Drop LA campaign will be there to promote water conservation. Publicity and Media: A press release will be issued by the Mayor, LADWP & RAP are coordinating media invitations. For more information, contact Sara Harper at 909-291-2109 or sharper@ca-nv-awwa.org. The California - Nevada Section of American Water Works Association (AWWA) is a non-profit association whose mission is to support the drinking water professionals who provide safe and reliable water to millions of people throughout California and Nevada.