Imagine a future where all people in America have safe and affordable drinking water.

Water is a lifeline. There are few other resources as essential to life, the natural world, and thriving communities. In fact, indigenous communities refer to water as a relative, reminding us of our deep connection to water and the care and respect it requires of us. Our nation has the power to honor these responsibilities and ensure that everyone has safe and affordable drinking water, now and in the future.

We can transform this reality for some into the reality for all — including the the 100 million people living below 200 percent of the poverty level. Millions of people currently face unaffordable water bills, shutoffs, and drinking water that doesn't meet safety standards. One powerful solution rests in making desperately needed improvements to our nation’s water infrastructure. To date, federal spending has failed to keep pace with urgent repairs and replacements, creating a growing burden on states, municipalities, water utilities, and households. As a result, water bills — and the number of shutoffs — have continued to rise, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color. In the numerous places where the cost of upgrades and repairs is too great, millions of people are consuming drinking water that does not meet safety standards. By addressing these gaps in federal investments, we can close the gap on access to safe, affordable drinking water. 

We also have the power to address both the long-standing and emerging threats to safe drinking water. The ongoing legacy of environmental injustice and racial discrimination in land use planning continues to expose many low income communities and communities of color to dangerous, unclean water. These same communities are the first and worst to be affected by the growing impacts of climate change.

At PolicyLink, we know it is within our collective power to design a new reality — for everyone. Decisions, policies, and investments have created our present reality. We can collectively make new decisions that create a future where all people can live in thriving communities of opportunity. 

• We are working with a national network of frontline leaders and allies that are advancing policies and community solutions at the intersection of water, climate, and justice. PolicyLink anchors the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus, which has grown into a national network of organizations across the US. Together, the caucus is working together to set strategy, grow power and policy momentum, and advance a national narrative that propels equitable water and climate solutions for their communities.
   
• We are committed to supporting the equitable implementation of $43 billion in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dedicated to upgrading water infrastructure through existing State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. PolicyLink is leading the Southern SRF Analysis and Advocacy project, a three-year project to support community based organization advocacy on SRF reform in AL, LA, TX, and TN. PolicyLink also co-anchors the SRF Advocates Forum, a diverse, nationwide community of practice focused on pursuing more equitable and climate-resilient investments of the State Revolving Funds established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 
   
• We are seizing opportunities to raise the need and opportunity to assure Water Affordability for All. We can create a nation where everyone in the nation has safe and affordable drinking water. PolicyLink is building momentum and supporting leaders across the nation to seize political windows to advance this reality through a unified campaign for change.