Water sustains all life. We drink it, we bathe in it, we grow our food with it. We can't live without it. Yet today, water is being polluted, depleted and diverted at a rapid rate. One in six people lack access to clean water, and that number will increase if we don’t act now.
It is no wonder Fortune magazine calls water the oil of the 21st century - "the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations."
Because water is scarce, there's a battle brewing over who owns it. Special interests want to exploit the water crisis for profit. It’s called water privatization, which means that the world’s largest corporations want to control the world’s water.
Tell Congress to renew their commitment to the Clean Water Act - one of the most important laws protecting the environment and public health - and promote the right to universal access to clean, affordable water.
Dear Representative [Name],
This month, our nation celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, one of our most important laws protecting the environment and public health. While we've made significant gains over the past 35 years, we still have a long way to go.
I am writing to urge you to vote yes on the resolution introduced this week by Rep. Blumenauer and others in honor of the 35th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. By supporting this resolution, you are supporting clean and healthy water for future generations of Americans.
I also urge you to work for the creation of a clean water trust fund, which would provide a steady, renewable, long term and debt-neutral source of funding for clean water. Something as important to every aspect of life as water should not be subject to annual political battles, yet funding for clean water has been slashed year after year. A clean water trust fund should be based on the following principles:
- Environmentally sound use of our water resources;
- Pollution prevention and drinking water source protection for human and environmental health;
- Water conservation by the largest water users, including agriculture and industry;
- Public participation and accountability for public officials;
- Access to affordable water for low-income households;
- Public funds for public utilities,
- Appropriate user fees for industries that degrade our water resources.
Thank you for joining me in honoring the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. I look forward to your response.
[Your comment]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
