AWWA Urges Awareness of Water Sanitation Issues on World Water Day 2008

Estimated 2.6 billion People Worldwide Lack Access to Adequate Sanitation

DENVER, March 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Water Works
Association (AWWA), the authoritative resource on safe water, today joined the
United Nations, Water for People and water advocates throughout the world in
recognizing World Water Day, observed March 22, 2008.

The theme for World Water Day 2008 is "Sanitation Matters." This year's theme
highlights the fact that "adequate sanitation to protect health is considered
a fundamental human right." Unfortunately, for roughly half the developing
world, safe and reliable water is not accessible. The result is the daily
tragedy of waterborne disease, which claims thousands of lives each day.

"Safe water and sanitation are vital to human health and are critical for the
stability of nations around the globe," said AWWA Executive Director Gary
Zimmerman. "In North America, clean water is often taken for granted, but
World Water Day creates an opportunity to think about the extraordinary value
of our precious water supplies and advanced water treatment and delivery
systems.

"World Water Day asks us all to become more aware of how our actions affect
our water supplies, and encourages the development of a culture which
recognizes the life-giving value of water," Zimmerman added. "AWWA encourages
all its members and water customers to support organizations like Water for
People, which work to improve water sanitation and prevent the tragedy of
waterborne disease across the globe."

More information on World Water Day 2008 can be found at
www.worldwaterday.org
More information on Water for People can be found at
www.waterforpeople.org

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to
improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is
the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances
public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum
of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become
better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the
environment.

SOURCE American Water Works Association

Kylah Hedding of AWWA, +1-303-347-6140, khedding@awwa.org