Clean Water is a Human Right

Across the United States, millions of people don't have access to clean drinking water, which can lead to a number of negative health effects. But recently, the US Senate has passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, which is a $35 billion fund that will allow states to make much needed upgrades to their water systems.

While this is a good thing, it is long overdue. Neglect for clean water infrastructure is quite common in the US, especially in communities of color. For example, in Jackson, Mississippi, a predominantly African American city, many residents had to boil water in order to make it safe for drinking. Research shows that drinking water systems in brown and black communities are 40% more likely to violate clean water standards than in white communities. This clearly shows environmental racism.

For decades, petroleum refineries along the Mississippi River have polluted local waters by spewing dangerous cancer-causing chemicals into the water. The area between New Orleans and Baton Rouge has more than 150 petroleum refineries, which have caused this location to be called “Cancer Alley”. This is a major problem. Some other health effects of toxic, contaminated water are headaches, dizziness, irritation to the eyes and throat, and even elevated levels of lead in the blood. But the impacts on quality of life and health are only beginning to be discovered. Communities of color more often have to deal with these horrific consequences due to environmental racism.

Thankfully, President Joe Biden has expressed that environmental justice will become a central principle of his administration, and he has prioritized clean water infrastructure investment. It is crucial that Biden continues to take immediate executive action to reverse the terrible systemic damage in the US. The Biden Administration must take action to make the future they wish for a reality. Clean water is a human right and it's time to make sure that everybody has access to it.

Charities

• WaterAid

• WaterAid started in 1981 because no non-profit like us existed. We are determined to make clean water, reliable toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Since March 2020 we have scaled up our work in 30+ countries to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic. This rapid-response work, building on our strong track record in providing critical water infrastructure, is how people can change their lives for good.