NARUC Asks Congressional Leaders To "Imagine a Day Without Water"

Washington — The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners today urges members of Congress and the nation to pay closer attention to the serious crisis of our water infrastructure. NARUC has sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate urging Congress and the Administration to prioritize investment in water infrastructure and resources.

NARUC also joins elected officials, drinking water and wastewater providers, community leaders, business and labor groups, policy experts, advocacy organizations and infrastructure experts in support of the Imagine a Day Without Water awareness campaign, designated for October 10, 2018, aimed at educating the public about the water infrastructure crisis currently facing the United States. The campaign, organized by the Value of Water Coalition, includes the efforts of hundreds of national organizations committed to educating the public about the “invisible crisis” that disrupts daily lives, threatens jobs and businesses and puts our communities’ health and prosperity at risk.

As NARUC makes clear in its letter, families from Flint, Michigan, to the Central Valley of California have experienced the devastating impacts of living — even a day — without water. Now is the time for America to commit to a future where everyone can count on reliable and safe water service — now, and for future generations. It is time to:

•    Increase public and private investment in water infrastructure; and
•    Ensure that water is affordable, reliable and accessible to all communities and businesses.

Co-signed by NARUC President John Betkoski III of Connecticut and New Jersey Commissioner Mary-Anna Holden, chair of NARUC’s Committee on Water, the letter also notes that more than $220 billion in economic activity to be gained nationwide by closing the water infrastructure investment gap.

The letters are available on NARUC’s website at http://bit.ly/2IKVWzz (House) and http://bit.ly/2A2p8PZ (Senate). For more information on the value of water and to learn how to participate in the campaign, visit http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/.