Safe drinking water is essential for human health and economic development. But one in eight people (884 million) around the world live without safe drinking water and two in five (2.5 billion) do not have adequate toilets. Every day 4,500 children in developing countries die from diarrheal disease due to dirty water.

Simple low-cost solutions for clean water and safe sanitation are among the most effective measures that can be taken to reduce disease and death, especially in children. Moreover, providing safe drinking water and sanitation programs helps meet other international sustainable development goals, including education, food security and lessening the impact of climate change.

Passed in 2005, the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act has expanded U.S. activities in water and sanitation. Last year, Congress appropriated $315 million for the implementation of safe drinking water and sanitation projects. While progress has been made, more funds are still needed to close the gap between the current level of investment and the resources required to reduce the number of people without access to safe water and sanitation. With an increased investment of $500 million per year, the United States could target the places of greatest need and provide permanent solutions to one of the world's worst environmental health problems.

What to do:
Send a message urging your senators and representative to increase funding for global clean water projects.

Source: Natural Resources Defense Council