For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2021
Media Contact:
Shannon Craig Straw, West End Strategy Team
scstraw@westendstrategy.com; 202-674-5921
Water Equity and Climate Justice Advocates: Investments in Water Infrastructure Systems are Essential
Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus applauds House passage of the Build Back Better Act, implores Senate to pass legislation quickly
WASHINGTON -- Following the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, water equity and climate justice advocates are urging the Senate to take the House’s lead and prioritize the protection of access to safe, affordable water.
Leaders with the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus, a national network of nearly 90 organizations representing frontline communities on issues related to water and climate justice, have fought for provisions in the bill that make critical investments in the nation’s water infrastructure.
In a statement, Yasmin Zaerpoor, Caucus co-chair and director for Water Equity and Climate Resilience at PolicyLink, highlighted the importance of low-income water assistance programs, among other racial, economic and environmental justice initiatives related to water affordability and access, as temporary pandemic relief measures lapse and fail to address larger systemic issues:
“Water bills across the country have skyrocketed due to failing infrastructure, shrinking city populations and a sobering decline in federal support for water infrastructure. When a family's water is shut off, it not only creates health risks that were exacerbated during a pandemic, but it can also lead to the loss of their home and, in some states, losing custody of their children.
“Communities of color are most harmed by water shutoffs and the federal government’s failure to adequately maintain our nation’s water infrastructure. We can -- and must -- do better as a country. Legislation like the Build Back Better Act is an important step toward ensuring everyone has access to an essential human right - safe, affordable water. The Senate must act quickly to follow the House’s lead and vote to pass the legislation. We’re particularly grateful for the leadership of Leader Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Debbie Dingell and Frank Pallone.
“This monumental act expands important investments made in the bipartisan infrastructure package signed by the president earlier this week, including additional funding to replace more than 5.3 million lead service lines -- nearly half of the national total -- to ensure children and families don’t have to continue drinking contaminated water. The Build Back Better Act also establishes an essential low-income water assistance program within the EPA to begin to provide assistance to the millions of people who lost access to clean water because they couldn’t afford their bills. The critical investments in water infrastructure will also reduce toxic runoff from old stormwater systems during heavy downpours, among other life-saving measures that will help bolster climate action, clean energy jobs and environmental justice.”
Discussing the need for immediate action from the Senate, Colette Pichon Battle, co-chair of the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus, and executive director of the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy, added:
“The climate crisis is at a point where our communities need as much funding for water infrastructure and climate adaptation as soon as possible. While the Build Back Better bill includes some climate action and water protection, it falls far short of what is actually needed to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. The Senate must pass the legislation we do have and immediately begin working on new legislation focused on mitigating the root causes of the climate crisis, and addressing essential adaptation measures like ensuring public, safe drinking water for all. Without bold action from Congress, many Black, Indigenous and rural communities will continue to pay the ultimate price for climate impacts.”
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The Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus is a national network of nearly 90 organizations working to address water equity and climate resilience — centering frontline communities of color and low-income communities. It is co-chaired by PolicyLink and the Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy. Learn more: https://climatewaterequity.org/