Clean, reliable water is something most people take for granted. Pennsylvania American Water would like to remind you of the value of the clean, reliable, water that it provides to you every day at less than a penny per gallon.

Only tap water provides you with public health protection, fire protection, support of economic development projects as well as a convenience that provides you with a quality of life that many parts of the world still don't enjoy.

Providing high-quality water is something that we deliver every day. As a part of the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection's Partnership for Clean Water, our water quality surpasses standards for drinking water. In fact, our 28 water treatment plants have received the Five-Year Directors Award from the U.S. DEP for exemplary operations. Protecting the public health is our top priority.

Just as important to your health is our ability to provide high-quality service in times of emergency. Many people fail to realize the first reason many community water systems were built was for the reliable delivery of water for fire protection.

How easy would it have been to build a new home without the promise of adequate fire protection? And what about insuring it? If the corner hydrant didn't work, what kind of risk would your home be for an insurance provider?

Pennsylvania American Water has invested more than $490 million since 2003 to meet the water service needs of our customers across the commonwealth. Continued maintenance equates to safer drinking water for our customers and less chance for interruption of service.

The next time you consider buying bottled water, think about the value of your tap water. If these benefits don't resonate with you, just think about the effects of bottled water on your wallet.

For the price of a single, 20-ounce bottle of water, you could fill up the same container with Pennsylvania American Water once a day for about 13 years.

Pennsylvania American Water is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs nearly 6,900 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to about 16.2 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada.

More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.