For Immediate Release:

WASHINGTON (October 21, 2021) — Today, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and state utility regulators join elected officials, water utilities, community leaders, educators and businesses from across the country as part of the seventh annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy promoting the value of water.

Led by the Value of Water Campaign, more than a thousand organizations across the are raising awareness about the role of water infrastructure in everyone’s lives and the importance of investment. The focus of this year’s event is to invite people to learn more about where our water comes from and where our wastewater goes.

“Having access to affordable, safe drinking water and ensuring the integrity of our water infrastructure are important issues to NARUC and its members,” said NARUC President Paul Kjellander. “Water is a life-sustaining, essential utility. I am always encouraged by NARUC’s water advocacy before federal agencies and by the efforts of our Committee on Water, led by Illinois Commissioner Maria Bocanegra.”

“We’re grateful to NARUC for being a part of this year’s Imagine a Day Without Water,” said US Water Alliance Board Chair Oluwole (OJ) McFoy. “Raising awareness about the state of water infrastructure is a crucial step to ensuring water systems keep flowing for generations to come. Even though we cannot see the pipes and sewers beneath our feet, water cannot be taken for granted. High-quality water service is a critical part of every thriving community. Today, we encourage everyone to take a minute to learn more about their local water system, where their drinking water comes from and where their wastewater goes.”

Imagine a Day Without Water was envisioned as an advocacy and education day that asks Americans to think about what it would mean to go without water for a day. Two million Americans are living without water service, and with the challenges of maintaining water infrastructure that is a century old in some places, there is growing concern about the stability of water suppy and service.

According to the 2021 Value of Water Index, 83 percent of Americans said ensuring a stable supply of water should be a top federal priority. They also ranked addressing water contamination and investing in infrastructure as top priorities.  Learn more at imagineadaywithoutwater.org and follow the conversation on social media at #ValueWater.

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NARUC Media Contact: communications@naruc.org

Value of Water Campaign Media Contact: media@uswateralliance.org

 

About NARUC

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of state public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

The Value of Water Campaign educates and inspires the nation about how water is essential, invaluable, and in need of investment. Spearheaded by top leaders in the water industry, the Value of Water Campaign is building public and political will for investment in America's water infrastructure. Follow the Value of Water Campaign on Twitter and Facebook.