City of Tulsa to Participate in National Drinking Water Week May 5-11

5/6/2024

National effort raises awareness about the value of quality drinking water

The City of Tulsa is celebrating National Drinking Water Week May 5-11 to recognize the vital role tap water plays in daily life, the infrastructure that's required to carry it to and from homes and businesses, and the important work of water professionals.

"Safe drinking water is the foundation for continued economic prosperity, improved health and a better quality of life for our community," said Eric Lee, Water and Sewer Director. "Tulsans can be proud of our City employees and the incredible work they do around the clock to deliver high-quality drinking water that impacts our daily lives and protects our public health and the environment."

Water systems across the country play a critical part in consumers' health, hygiene, and hydration. More than a million miles of buried pipes ensure reliable water is treated and transported to homes or businesses for cleaning, hydration, and cooking, which are critical to health and safety.

"Drinking Water Week is an opportunity to celebrate what we enjoy in Tulsa all year long - excellent, drinkable tap water that secures our quality of life," Mayor G.T. Bynum said. "I am thankful that our Water and Sewer Department provides this water that supports our community's health, fire protection, economic growth and public safety."

To commemorate the week, the City of Tulsa and other water utilities, water organizations, government entities, environmental advocates, schools, and organizations throughout North America are encouraging consumers to learn more about the importance of water and water infrastructure, especially in times of crisis.

Here are a few important facts about Tulsa's drinking water:

• Tulsa consistently provides some of the safest and highest quality water in the country.
• The City of Tulsa supplies drinking water to more than 145,000 metered accounts in the city. In addition, wholesale water service is provided to eight suburban communities and nine rural water districts, for a total population served of more than 600,000 people in the metropolitan area.
• Tulsa has two water treatment plants - Mohawk and A.B. Jewell - that can treat 220 million gallons of water per day (MGD). Tulsa's water distribution system consists of 2,237 miles of underground water lines, thousands of valves, 146,000 water meters, 16,350 hydrants, 12 pump stations, and 12 treated water storage reservoirs in the Tulsa city limits.  
• Average water consumption in the Tulsa area is 102 million gallons per day. Individual consumption equates to 80-100 gallons of water per day, on average.

 The City of Tulsa's Water and Sewer Department is responsible for the operations of water supply and treatment, water distribution, sewer line operations, wastewater treatment, laboratory testing and water quality assurance. The Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority is a public trust organization created by the City charter and responsible for water and sewer policy matters by managing, constructing, and maintaining Tulsa's waterworks and sanitary sewer systems.

For more than 40 years, the American Water Works Association and cities across the country have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and communities to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays.

Learn more about the City of Tulsa's drinking water.