World Water Day and the US Senate

By Kim Klimpel, National Program Intern

The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.

Happy World Water Day everyone! Across the globe, people are spending the day reflecting on the accomplishments that have given more people access to clean drinking water.  Our most precious resource gets to wear a party hat and be the highlight of a multitude of events taking place in many different countries. Amidst the celebrating, however, we cannot forget that there is still a lot of work to be done. The United Nations (UN) has declared 2013 as the “International Year of Water Cooperation.” The UN wants to use World Water Day to educate people about the work that we will all need to do in order to make progress globally, and to guarantee access to clean drinking water for everyone. Take a moment to stand up for our water today - email your Senators now. We could certainly benefit from these lessons, here in the United States. We may have an abundance of water in cities like Pittsburgh but others, like Austin and cities across Texas, are struggling with drought.  We have to get serious about conservation to ensure there is enough water for everyone over the next few decades. We can also do better at cracking down on pollution from our activities, including growing our food, producing energy and manufacturing products.  We All Live Downstream readers will remember our posts on “acting as if drinking water really matters” and on our responsibility as a privileged nation to lead the way on pollution prevention. And just because we have drinking water doesn't mean it is free of pollutants. What does this have to do with the U.S. Congress and the budget process?  A lot, actually.  The federal government has an important role to play in preventing water pollution, conserving our natural resources and protecting public health.  That’s why we’re asking our elected officials to stand with people, not polluters and stop any attempts to weaken environmental protections through the budget process which is taking up all the headlines this week.  A healthy environment is essential to healthy workers who are able to make our economy strong and prosperous. Unfortunately, some Senators aren't getting the message and are putting our water at risk. For years the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to protect the small streams and wetlands that feed the drinking water for 117 million Americans. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) wants to make sure EPA can never protect those streams and has added an amendment to derail the nearly complete guidance process. As if that's not bad enough, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is attempting to use the budget to take Clean Water Act protections away from even more of the streams we use to fish and swim and the wetlands that filter pollution, mitigate flood water and feed our drinking water sources. These polluter-backed attacks on our water must be stopped. The “International Year of Water Cooperation” is a perfect time for Republicans and Democrats to come together and decide that our drinking water is a top priority.  That means no more cuts to environmental protections and no more tax breaks for polluters.   Water issues are bigger than any one person but if we work together we can create a clean and abundant water future for generations to come.  Let your voice be heard, and let your legislators know that this is the kind of future you want.