Statement By NAWC Executive Director Michael Deane On Imagine A Day Without Water

Michael Deane, executive director of the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), released the following statement in support of Imagine a Day Without Water 2016.

On Thursday, September 15, America’s attention will be directed to an important campaign of conscience: Imagine a Day Without Water. As a founding member of the Value of Water Coalition, the NAWC is pleased to join with other organizations and utilities across the country to raise awareness and educate America about the impact water has on our lives.

For many, unreliable drinking water and wastewater services may seem unimaginable. Clean, safe water and reliable water service is expected – and sometimes taken for granted – in the United States. However, as we’ve seen with the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and the unprecedented drought in the western United States, limited or restricted access to clean water can be a reality.

Water touches every sector of our nation’s economy. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 14 percent of water is used in homes and businesses, 40 percent is used to grow the food we eat and the beverages we drink, and 46 percent is used to manufacture the products we buy. But due to deferred investment, the EPA also estimates that it will cost over $384B to address the country’s drinking water infrastructure needs by 2033.

The challenges are significant, but there are many solutions. Through increased use of private financing and public-private partnerships we can continue to improve, design, build and operate a dependable water infrastructure now and for future generations. Evidence of the receptiveness to solutions from the private water sector came to light in a recent independent survey by NAWC and Truth from the Tap, which found that Americans do recognize the serious challenges facing the nation’s water infrastructure and they want private water to be a part of the solution.

Once again, as a founding partner of the Value of Water Coalition, the NAWC is proud to take this opportunity to bring national attention to Imagine a Day Without Water. Join us on September 15, 2016, as we start a national conversation to raise awareness and educate Americans about the value of water and its impact on our daily lives.

All of us working together can solve our water infrastructure challenges – so no community ever has to imagine living even just one day without water.

About The NAWC
The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) is the voice of the private water industry and the organization exclusively representing this group of quality water service providers, innovation drivers, creative financiers and responsible partners. For more information, visit NAWC.org.