The head of D.C. Water is urging Congress to save some plastic and use the city's tap water during the 2013 presidential inauguration in January.

The water and sewer authority's general manager sent a letter to New York Sen. Charles Schumer asking him to reconsider his pledge to have New York-based Saratoga Springs Water supply bottled water for the inauguration. Manager George Hawkins said bottled water costs 100 times more than tap water and is environmentally harmful, according to the letter sent Thursday and obtained by the Associated Press.

Hawkins also offered to throw in free reusable water bottles for Congress if D.C. water is served. Bonus: showing support for the environment, he said.

lfarmer@washingtonexaminer.com