Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States
A National Action Plan
At least 2 million Americans still don't have running water or a working toilet at home.
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How Can I Help?
Fixing this problem is the right thing to do – and you can help.
Curious what your donation will do?
Explore some example projects on the map below!
100% of your tax deductible donation will support community-led projects across the country providing access to runing water and flush toilets.
Americans are resilient and creative. See what communities in some water access “hotspots” across the country are doing to support each other.
100% of donations to this Close the Gap Fund will support these and other community-based water projects.
About the Report
Today, more than two million Americans live without running water and basic indoor plumbing, and many more without sanitation.
On the Navajo Nation in the Southwest, families drive for hours to haul barrels of water to meet their basic needs. In West Virginia, they drink from polluted streams. In Alabama, parents warn their children not to play outside because their yards are flooded with sewage. Families living in Texas border towns worry because there is no running water to fight fires.
Access to clean, reliable running water and safe sanitation are essential for health, prosperity, and wellbeing, but they remain out of reach for some of the most vulnerable people in the United States.
This report shines a light on America’s hidden water crisis and proposes a plan of action. It tells the story from inside six affected communities and identifies promising solutions that can help us extend water services to all people.
Together, we can ensure that every American has running water in our lifetime.
By the Numbers
In order to solve this challenge, we needed the most comprehensive analysis of water and sanitation access to date. Here’s what we found:
1.
FEDERAL DATA DOESN'T ACCURATELY MEASURE THE WATER ACCESS GAP
2.
RACE IS THE STRONGEST PREDICTOR OF WATER AND SANITATION ACCESS
3.
POVERTY IS A KEY OBSTACLE TO WATER ACCESS
4.
WATER ACCESS CHALLENGES AFFECT ENTIRE COMMUNITIES
5.
PROGRESS IS UNEVEN, AND SOME COMMUNITIES ARE BACKSLIDING
