Ask Congress to fund water-saving projects, fight drought and climate change
148
Supporters
500
Goal
With the current drought already impacting over 90 million people in the U.S. and with water scarcity likely to get worse because of population growth and climate change, there is an urgent need for congress to act.
While the federal government has made significant investments in energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) over the years to address the nation's energy challenges, parallel investments have not been made in water efficiency and water reuse despite the increasingly urgent need to conserve water. Between 2000 and 2020, federal EERE investments dwarfed federal investments in water efficiency and water reuse by a ratio of approximately 80 to 1.
The federal government pays less than five percent of the cost for drinking water and waste water, according to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, relying instead on loans to local communities. Local water agencies are struggling to manage water shortages while maintaining affordable rates.
Water efficiency and conservation helps ensure access to clean, affordable water and tackles climate change by reducing the amount of energy used to heat, pump, and treat water, which in turn reduces emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide.
Using less water also helps protect our rivers, bays, and aquifers, and it saves consumers money. Water efficient plumbing products can save an average family hundreds of dollars each year. This is especially important today with COVID leaving millions of Americans unable to pay water bills.
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Sign the Petition
Petition
Please sign the following petition:
The undersigned individuals and organizations urge congress to include additional water efficiency and conservation grant funding in any infrastructure legislation approved by Congress to help communities and local water agencies address the nation’s water crisis. With the current drought already impacting over 90 million people in the U.S., and with water scarcity likely to get worse because of population growth and climate change, there is an urgent need for the federal government to increase its investment in water efficiency.
This threat goes well beyond the West. 30 states are currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. 33 states have been hit by drought since 2000, including ones located in the Great Plains, Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. And scientists warn that most of country is on pace to experience water shortages if we don’t manage water better.
The U.S. government has made significant investments to tackle the nation’s energy crisis. However, federal funding for water efficiency – such as rebates to buy water efficient plumbing/irrigation and grants to fix leaking pipes – has been a drop in the bucket. Between 2000 and 2020, federal energy efficiency and renewable energy investments dwarfed federal investments in water efficiency and water reuse by a ratio of approximately 80 to 1.
As a result, the tab for averting the water crisis falls to local water agencies that can be cash-strapped in the best of times, not to mention now with the pandemic leaving customers unable to pay their bills. The federal government pays less than five percent of the cost for drinking water and waste water, according to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, relying instead on loans to local communities.
Water efficiency and conservation not only helps ensure access to clean, affordable water amidst a changing climate, it also:
- Tackles the root cause of climate change. That’s because water-saving strategies reduce the amount of energy used to heat, pump, and treat water, which in turn reduces emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide.
- Protects our rivers, bays, and aquifers by limiting water withdrawals.
- Saves consumers money. Water efficient plumbing products can save an average family hundreds of dollars each year4. This is especially important today with COVID leaving millions of Americans unable to pay water bills.
The climate is changing, droughts are getting worse, and water supplies are increasingly at risk. It's time for congress to take the water crisis seriously with significant new investments in water efficiency and conservation.
Supporters
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Antonio Woolacott Reawick
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Alison Kendall Santa Monica, CA
As an architect specialized in Green Building in California, I'm very aware that water efficiency and careful water management are critical to addressing climate change. Please prioritize water quality, management and efficiency in federal investments.
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Jim Meyers Boulder, CO
Water is critical for the Southwestern U.S. where I reside and states and municipalities need assistance understanding the urgency of improving water infrastructure in our region.
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Nancy Gooch RIDGECREST, CA
Federal funding is needed to create water infrastructure that will allow western cities to continue to exist.
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Jennifer Shimmin Beaumont, CA
Water efficiency and water reuse are important parts of ensuring water supply sustainability for future generations. Investment is needed now, more than ever!
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Emma Butterfield Beaverton, OR
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Donna DiFrancesco Mesa, AZ
Protecting our water from pollutants and increasing our water supply reliability is a critical issue. Funding from the federal government will assist in regional matters and with local water supply problems. It should also provide critical opportunities of supporting the work of non-profits and other organizations to address these challenges.
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Joshias Ponce Palm Desert, CA
Federal Government needs to provide more support for water needs and demands infrastructure. It starts from the top to lead the way in conservation and proper management.
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Julie Smitherman Medford, OR
Water efficiency and conservation ensures access to clean and affordable water and reduces the amount of energy used as well. Water resources are limited and becoming scarce in some regions. Improved water efficiency practices are critical to water sustainability now and into the future.
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Rebecca Esselman Ann Arbor, MI
I am a water resource professional who has spent more than 20 years understanding and addressing the biggest threats to water quality, drinking water and aquatic ecosystems. Water efficiency is a critical part of the solution to climate change and finite water resources.
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Alexandra Lichtenberg San Francisco
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Laura Wing Evergreen, CO
Water efficiency makes good business sense!
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Qinghai Liang Springdale , AR
Conserving water is important because it keeps water pure and clean while protecting the environment. Conserving water means using our water supply wisely and be responsible. As every individual depends on water for livelihood, we must learn how to keep our limited supply of water pure and away from pollution.
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Azita Yazdani Irvine, CA
We believe water efficiency is more important in the coming years than simply just building infrastructure. We should reduce consumption by installing efficient devices and then by recycling on site followed by central treatment systems. This will save tax payers billions of dollars.
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MICHAEL LAURIE VASHON, WA
Efficiency is a reliable, well vetted, low cost tool for addressing the nation's water crisis. And as a working professional with experience on hundreds of projects around the country, I have seen that there is still a lot of water efficiency opportunities out there.
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Chris Manchuck CORTE MADERA, CA
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Mariana Mendoza Polk City, FL
Water efficiency is essential for water conservation.
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George Kunkel HERSHEY, PA
Water resources are limited and becoming scarce in some regions. Improved water efficiency practices are long overdue and critical to water sustainability now.
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Brittany App Santa Margarita, CA
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James Lim Durham, NC
Water efficiency helps ensure access to clean, affordable water amidst a changing climate, protects our rivers, bays, and aquifers, saves consumers money, and supports economic growth.
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Tom Penning Riverside, CA
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LINDA LIPSIUS Denver, CO
Water is our most critical resource. We need to protect it now.
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Peter DeMarco Dayton, NJ
Water efficiency is the most cost effective way to achieve conservation, extend the life of our infrastructure and address water shortages. Water efficiency is essential!
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Fred Fraisse Waterbury, CT
The US as other parts of the world is experiencing an accelerated cycle of severe droughts. This situation alone should be enough to justify investing in a more efficient water infrastructure which will also help save money for consumers, save energy (pumping & hot water production) and reach the critical goal of reducing the cumulated "CO2 footprint" of the country.
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Lisa Venegas Nashville, TN
Promoting water efficiency just makes sense to ensure a supply for people, farms and companies.
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Louis Graham Bentonville , AR
We are invested in a Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas based Startup which Develops innovative and technology solutions that enhance and improve everyday lifestyle experiences, with a focus on sustainability. One of our 1st lines of products has the potential to conservatively save 6.7 Trillion Gallons of water per year in the US. 11 million children die per year due to a lack of clean drinking water. Our goal is to reduce this number to 0. We have a global opportunity to help extend our existence. This reality can be achieved with organizations such as Alliance for Water Efficiency. Let us continue doing good and making our world a better place.
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Steve Williams Atlanta, GA
Because water is our most precious resource a d we are abusing the hell out if it!
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Maya Black Austin, TX
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Ron Munds Los Osos, CA
I am the General Manager of a small, rural water agency that is being severely impacted by seawater intrusion into our groundwater supply. The drought conditions we have been experiencing has exasperated the situation significantly. Small water agencies are in dire need of support financially and technically. Please consider increasing funding for water efficiency and designate a portion for small rural water agencies.
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Barry Spilka Melville, NY
Water is one of the most valuable resources on this planet and we must protect now and in the future.
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Kris Olsson Ann Arbor, MI
I work at a local watershed protection organization and recognize the importance of water conservation to clean water and climate.
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Andrew Funk Lynnwood, Washington, WA
I am a true believer that water efficiency is the easiest, most cost effective and environmentally sound adaptation strategy to rising water scarcity.
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Carlos Guerrero Turlock, CA
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Danae Lawrence Turlock, CA
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James Kendzel Minneapolis, MN
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James Green CAMBRIA, CA
With the current drought already impacting our potable water production significantly, I urge the expedition of this funding. Our special district has been picked to receive funding, and we are in desperate need.
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Karen Zimmerman Wauwatosa, WI
Water is a precious resource. We as a country need to do better with our water infrastructure.
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Apera Nwora Washington, DC
Because "water is life" it should be invested in as if our lives depended on it; because they do.
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Elizabeth Gardener Denver, CO
As a retired water conservation manager for Denver Water, I know how essential finding is for addressing these huge water problems. And these problems are only going to get bigger as the climate speeds up changing. Please allocate funding now! Thank you.
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Holly Nadeau Petaluma, CA
Water efficiency and conservation ensures access to clean and affordable water.
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Mary Ann Dickinson Blue Jay, CA
The US is experiencing recurring severe droughts and we need federal support for coping with that!
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Maria Spulka Manhasset
Very important!!
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Pam Labadie Ann Arbor, MI
Water efficiency is an investment in our future that we must make. Plentiful clean affordable water is an imperative.
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Cora Kammeyer OAKLAND, CA
Our leaders in Washington need to take the nation's water crisis seriously.
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Mary Yang Lodi, CA
We need more funding dedicated towards water efficiency in infrastructure legislation. Without it, the growing population will lack federal support and will need to pay 100% for these necessary projects out of our own pockets. Water is already becoming more and more unaffordable due to the lack of resources and pollutants. More funding is needed in these areas as well. Thanks!
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Talia Burke oak Park , IL
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Nina Jazmadarian La Canada Flintridge, CA
It would be beneficial to both the environment and economy to have funding so that water efficiency projects and programs may be implemented.
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Arianne Shipley Fort Worth, TX
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Drew Beckwith Westminster, CO
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Susan Pokorny Jacksonville, FL
Water is a scarce resource and many do not realize it. Without this funding ,education and efficiencies will not be gained.
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Nora Beck Chicago, IL
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Jeffrey Baldwin Travelers Rest, SC
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Rob Zimmerman Wauwatosa, WI
Water efficiency saves energy and saves American consumers money on both water and energy bills. It also extends supplies that we need to meet future demand. It's an investment that will pay dividends for decades.
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Marcus Mendiola Watsonville, CA
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Ben Emanuel Atlanta, GA
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Vicki Watson Missoula, MT
We must learn to use less water. There is a fixed amount of freshwater which is already in short supply. Reducing our water use helps aquatic life, reduces carbon loading, and saves money. Investing in water efficiency is a smart investment.
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Edgar Neel Denver, CO
Water is life!
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Rachel Weller milwaukee, WI
we need water to LIVE
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MICHAEL HAM AURORA, CO
Water conservation
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Ray Lamovec Eden Prairie, MN
We need to fund water saving tech!
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Peter Mayer Boulder, CO
Water scarcity is the bleeding edge of climate change impacts. Funding is needed to reduce water use now and into the future.
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Emily Mathison Victoria
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Rachel Foos Denver, CO
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Geneva Gondak San Francisco, CA
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Melissa Lobach Auburn, CA
Clean water is the most important natural resource to preserve.
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AMY VICKERS AMHERST, MA
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Kate Gasner San Francisco, CA
conservation and efficiency is the best infrastructure investment!
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Kate Olinger Apple Valley, MN
Building water efficiency in when building and remodeling homes, ensures water savings while still providing the water system performance homeowners expect.
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Kendra Olmos davis, CA
Serious Western US drought, and with climate change water scarcity will only increase.
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Nicholas Fadanelli Novi, MI
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Lauren Schechtman Chicago, IL
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Sandra Postel Corrales, NM
Water conservation and efficiency measures are the most cost-effective and environmentally sound ways of meeting the nation's water demands.
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Stephen Cortes Austin, TX
We need to match the funding effort in the energy sector and account for ballooning population and water demand in states like Texas, Colorado, et al. Get with the program, Federal Govt!
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Brian Lee Santa Rosa, CA
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Dan York Sacramento, CA
Water conservation and use efficiency is more important than ever to ensure a safe and reliable water supply is in our future.
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Elena Layugan Monrovia, CA
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Rachel Blomberg Denver, CO
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Drew Blackwell Winston Salem, NC