In his Inaugural Address, President Obama said, "let clean waters flow." With those words, he brought recognition to the suffering of 884 million people who do not have access to clean water and 2.5 billion without adequate sanitation.


Senators Durbin and Corker have introduced S. 624, The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009, a bipartisan bill to provide 100 million people with access to clean water. But with only five cosponsors, the bill isn't getting the attention it needs for further action by Senate leaders.


It must have at least 20 cosponsors to move forward. Now is the time to follow through on Obama's inaugural pledge to "let clean waters flow". Ask your senators to cosponsor S. 624 now.


Together, unclean water and poor sanitation are a leading cause of child mortality: an estimated 4,100 children die every day from diarrheal diseases spread through poor sanitation and hygiene. That such conditions continue to exist demonstrates a failure on the part of all nations to provide access to the most basic life-sustaining element: clean water.


The Water for the World Act targets underdeveloped countries with focused initiatives to improve access to clean water and sanitation; fosters global cooperation on research and development; provides technical assistance and capacity-building; provides seed money for the deployment of clean water and sanitation technologies; and strengthens the human infrastructure at USAID and the State Department to implement clean water and sanitation programs.


This bill will help establish the capacity and momentum we need to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on increasing access to water and sanitation by 2015. If those MDG targets are met, the benefits will include a total annual economic return of $22 billion for Africa in saved time, increased productivity and reduced health costs. And 203,000 fewer children will die in 2015 from lack of access to clean water and sanitation.


By working together, ONE members everywhere have an opportunity to make a big difference for millions of people.


Please encourage your family and friends to sign the petition here.


Thank you for doing your part!


Source: ONE Campaign