Over $5 Billion Pledged to Improve U.S. Drinking Water Systems, Bolster Protections on World Water Day
WASHINGTON (March 22, 2016) – More than 150 companies, nonprofit organizations and public agencies at a White House summit today committed over $5 billion to improve drinking water accessibility and quality for all Americans over the next decade.
The following is a statement by Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
“These unprecedented commitments are a sobering acknowledgment of how urgently our drinking water delivery systems need updating and greater protections against lead and other toxic chemicals. America’s water system was once the envy of the world, but it has fallen into alarming disrepair. Now is the time to fix our nation’s crumbling water infrastructure, which threatens not just water from the taps in every American home and school, but public health overall.
“Nothing is more precious than safe drinking water; and every man, woman and child deserves nothing less.”