FRESNO, CA – Today, the City of Fresno alongside the Fresno State California Water Institute joined elected officials, water utilities, community leaders, educators, and businesses participating in the fourth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. Led by the Value of Water Campaign, hundreds of organizations across the country will host events and spearhead projects today aimed at raising awareness about the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water infrastructure.
After decades of underfunding, water infrastructure is aging and in need of investment. Drought, flooding, and population changes are stressing our water and wastewater systems. A single nationwide day without water service would put $43.5 billion of economic activity at risk. In just eight days, a national water service stoppage would put nearly two million jobs in jeopardy.
While many of these challenges are regionally-specific and will require locally-driven solutions, reinvestment in water must be a national priority. This year, Imagine a Day Without Water falls just weeks before the 2018 midterm elections. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats, 36 gubernatorial races, and countless state legislature and local races are in play. As citizens go to the polls this fall to vote in the midterm elections, the next wave of lawmakers should make water a priority so no American has to live or imagine a day without water again.
“It’s our job to think about water supply every day and around the clock. There’s no time to rest on accomplishments, instead we need to continually plan and put systems in place to ensure that 1800 miles of water mains, 250 wells, water treatment facilities and the technologies and people are equipped and able to deliver 108 million gallons of water every day without interruption,” said Michael Carbajal, Director of Public Utilities for the City of Fresno. “By continuing to focus on the role of clean safe water to vibrant communities, and taking the steps to make sure we don’t fall behind, Fresno will continue to stand out as an example of a responsible City that won’t ever have to imagine a day without water.”
The City of Fresno joined Imagine a Day Without Water to raise awareness about the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water infrastructure. Additional participating agencies included the Fresno Irrigation District, Fresno County Farm Bureau and the State Water Resources Control Board.
“We're thrilled that the City of Fresno is a part of Imagine a Day Without Water. This national day of action educates our neighbors and public officials about the essential role water plays in all of our lives, and the threat that aging and underfunded water infrastructure poses to our communities and economy,” said Radhika Fox, CEO of the US Water Alliance and Director of the Value of Water Campaign. “Water infrastructure is often out of sight, out of mind. But, the systems that deliver water to and from our homes and businesses require reinvestment and upkeep just like roads and bridges. It is time to take action before we face a national crisis.”