September 22, 2010
Help is needed to ensure 100 million people have access to safe water and sanitation

On September 20th, the Senate passed the Water for the World Act, which would enable the United States to help provide first-time, sustainable access to life-saving water and sanitation services for 100 million people worldwide. 

The next step for this important bill to become law is for the House to vote on the legislation.
 
With nearly one billion people throughout the world lacking access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion lacking access to adequate sanitation, the bill would be a tremendous step forward in addressing the global water and sanitation crisis. 

Water, sanitation and hygiene are crucial building blocks for development.  They improve quality of life and health, advance education, reduce poverty and malnutrition, drive economic growth, and contribute to gender equality.
 
With only a couple of weeks remaining before the House recesses for November elections, we must act fast to ensure that the Water for the World Act moves to a vote in the House.  If the House approves the legislation, it will go to the President to be signed into law. 
 
WaterAid is joining organizations around the US to urge our government to strengthen its leadership on water, sanitation, and hygiene to ensure that millions around the world benefit from these life-saving services.  We ask that you lend your voice in urging the House to pass the Water for the World Act.
 
Mandy Folse, WaterAid’s Head of Policy and Advocacy in the US and a key member of the InterAction Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene group that has been campaigning on this Act says: “We are absolutely delighted that this Act has passed the Senate. WaterAid works in some of the poorest countries in the world where millions die needlessly because of lack of clean water and sanitation. Please do what you can to ensure this Act is approved by the House.”
 

Here are two ways to help:

 

• Please call your Representative either in Washington or in your district to ask that he or she support the Water for the World Act.  Sample talking points for a call can be found here.
• Please send an e-mail to your Representative asking that he or she support the Water for the World Act.  Click here for a sample letter.

We must act now!  Time is running out and millions can benefit from this important legislation. 
 
To look up your Representative and his/her contact information, please click on the link