Water for the World Act

Senators Durbin, Corker, and Murray have introduced the Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009 (S.624). This bill would put access to clean water at the forefront of America's international development priorities, seeking to reach 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation by 2015.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a person of faith, I believe that we are called to be stewards of God's creation and to work for justice for all people, in particular those who live in poverty. More than one billion people around the globe lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. In developing countries, 80 percent of illnesses relate to poor water quality: someone dies of a water-related illness every 14 seconds.

I urge you to make clean water for all a priority for U.S. international development efforts by co-sponsoring the Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009 (S.624). This bill would place access to clean water in the forefront of America's international development priorities, seeking to reach 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation by 2015.

Access to clean water is essential to human life and health and is a basic building block for development. If this basic need is fulfilled, people are better able to work, get an education, and find pathways out of poverty. I urge you to co-sponsor S.624 and make a difference in the lives of people around the globe.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 17, 2009


Background Information

 “When the poor and needy seek water,
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.”
   —Isaiah 41:17-18

Water is life.  Our bodies are largely made of water, as is much of the food we eat.  Without water, we could not exist.  Water is also a critical part of our spiritual life as Christians—it welcomes us into our life as Christians through baptism, and it forms a powerful metaphoric thread throughout the scriptures, symbolizing life, faith and the love of God.

Water scarcity is a growing problem around the world:  if present withdrawal and consumption rates for water continue, two of every three people on Earth will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025. 

Global warming will only exacerbate this problem:  as the earth’s climate gets warmer, droughts will grow more frequent and more severe in many parts of the globe, particularly in areas that are already water-stressed.

More than one billion people around the globe already lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.   In developing countries, 80 percent of illnesses relate to poor water quality:  someone dies of a water-related illness every 14 seconds. 

Senators Durbin, Corker, and Murray have introduced the Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009 (S.624). This bill would put access to clean water at the forefront of America’s international development priorities, seeking to reach 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation by 2015. To achieve this goal, the bill would:

  • Target underdeveloped countries with focused initiatives to improve access to clean water and sanitation; 

  • Foster global cooperation on research and technology development, including regional partnerships among experts on clean water; 

  • Provide technical assistance and capacity-building to develop expertise within countries facing water and sanitation challenges; 
    Provide seed money for the deployment of clean water and sanitation technologies; and 

  • Strengthen the human infrastructure at USAID and the State Department to implement clean water and sanitation programs effectively and to ensure that water receives priority attention in our foreign policy efforts.