Water Equity in the U.S.
The Water & Health Advisory Council agrees with the United Nations that access to safe, accessible, and affordable drinking water is a basic human right. Our nation has taken great strides to ensure safe drinking water for all, but there is more work to be done to achieve water equity.
A study conducted by the US Water Alliance found that more than two million Americans live without running water and basic indoor plumbing, and many more without sanitation.
Water Equity Insights
US Water Alliance: Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States: A National Action Plan
While the US has already made great progress in providing clean drinking water and sanitation, many people still do not have this privilege. The US Water Alliance report outlines a plan of action to ensure equitable water access for all Americans and highlights what various communities have already done to ensure this for their residents.
AP News: When Destitute Small Towns Mean Dangerous Tap Water
While water systems in larger cities tend to gain more attention and attract more resources, water providers serving smaller cities in the U.S. tend to violate twice as many health standards than bigger cities. Smaller towns are usually subjected to lower-quality drinking water due to resource-deprived and unmaintained water providers. Focusing resources on the nation’s aging water infrastructure is essential to protecting drinking water and public health, especially in smaller and underserved communities that often are left unprotected by destitute and unmaintained water providers.
The Authority Podcast: Water Equity with Kathryn Sorensen
In Episode 8 of The Authority Podcast, council member Kathryn Sorensen discusses the concept of plumbing and the Ten Tenets of Water Equity, one of which states that water equity cannot occur without an adequately functioning community water system. “Water is the foundation of public health, economic opportunity, and quality of life in any community and water equity occurs when all communities have access to safe clean affordable drinking water,” said Kathryn Sorensen.
Water Equity Resources
Our country has achieved broad successes in the delivery of safe, clean water in support of public health. Here are some resources from trusted organizations that can be used to support science-based decision making regarding safe, reliable drinking water for all.
The US Water Alliance is dedicated to building a sustainable water future for all. As a member-supported, national nonprofit organization, the Alliance educates the nation about the true value of water and accelerates policies and programs that effectively manage water resources to build stronger communities and a stronger America.
The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government tasked with environmental protection matters.
The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) is the professional Association serving state drinking water programs.
Water & Health Advisory Council Statement on Water Equity
The Water & Health Advisory Council agrees with the United Nations that access to safe, accessible, and affordable drinking water is a basic human right. Our nation has taken great strides to ensure safe drinking water for all, but there is more work to be done to achieve water equity.
A study conducted by the US Water Alliance found that more than two million Americans live without running water and basic indoor plumbing, and many more without sanitation. This illustrates the fact that "while the majority of Americans take high-quality drinking water and sanitation access for granted, millions of the most vulnerable people in the country— low-income people in rural areas, people of color, tribal communities, immigrants—have fallen through the cracks."
Today, many lack the resources to properly address deteriorating drinking water infrastructure and exposure to the most dangerous contaminants. Risks in drinking water are particularly high for low-income and rural communities who must battle with water contaminants that are already regulated but not properly addressed. These communities are historically underserved and under-resourced.
Water systems in larger cities tend to gain more attention and attract more resources, while water providers serving smaller cities in the U.S. tend to violate twice as many health standards than bigger cities. Smaller towns are usually subjected to lower-quality drinking water due to resource-deprived and unmaintained water providers. In some cases, they lack water infrastructure completely.
These high-risk communities need to be at the top of our nation’s priority list. When state and federal resources are allocated for drinking water projects across the country, it is vital that lawmakers consider the communities across the nation that lack adequately functioning community water systems. Providing safe, clean, reliable drinking water is essential to public health protection and allocating funds to the infrastructure needs of underserved communities is vital to achieving water equity throughout our county.
Sincerely,
Water & Health Advisory Council
Rob Renner, Council Chair, Former Chief Executive Officer at Water Research Foundation
Chad Seidel, Ph.D., President, Corona Environmental Consulting
Joseph Cotruvo, Ph.D., BCES President, Joseph Cotruvo & Associates
Joyce Dinglasan-Panlilio, Ph.D., Division Chair/Associate Professor in Environmental Chemistry at University of Washington-Tacoma
Kathryn Sorensen, Director of Research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy, Arizona State University
Manny Teodoro, Associate Professor of Public Affairs at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Janet Anderson, Principal Toxicologist at GSI Environmental Inc.