With a $600 billion investment gap facing the tap, citizens, organizations, and elected officials call for a renewed commitment to protect access to safe drinking water on World Water Day at Los Angeles City Hall.
On March 22nd, World Water Day, supporters of the Corporate Accountability International (CAI) campaign Public Water Works! gathered on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall, to call on the Obama Administration and Congressional leadership to protect public water systems in the face of a $600 billion investment gap.
In conjunction with the international day celebrating water, CAI released a report that documents how, over the last 35 years, the federal commitment to public water systems has gone from covering 78 percent of clean water spending to a paltry three percent today.
"Two hundred and forty thousand water main breaks every day. That's 16 percent of our total use of water around the country. That is enough water to supply the ten largest cities in the U.S. for a day," said Reverend Susan Stouffer, Director of the Peace Center at United University Church.
Further, the report highlights the fact that closing the investment gap would generate $265.6 billion in economic activity and create close to 1.9 million jobs over the next five years.
Thanks to Emily Reuman
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