Water & Health Advisory Council

We must make it a priority to ‘fix the basics’ first by investing resources to upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure. Learn from Council Member Chad Seidel as he explains why America’s water infrastructure needs major improvements.

A recent study published in Nature Cities reveals a troubling rise in "plumbing poverty" across U.S. cities since the 2008 financial crisis. Even affluent areas like Portland, Phoenix, and Philadelphia are experiencing increases in households without running water. The research highlights that people of color are disproportionately affected in 12 of the 15 largest cities. Lead researcher Professor Katie Meehan from King's College London emphasizes that the combination of high housing costs and living expenses is forcing many into homes lacking basic amenities. The study calls for significant improvements in housing and social infrastructure to meet the United Nations' goal of universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gntuY-aQ

The 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act presents an opportunity to pause, reflect, and envision a brighter future. Council Member Chad Seidel and Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators Alan Roberson recently sat down to discuss the importance of prioritizing risks, urging the drinking water community to respect the fundamentals as we consider new policies over the next fifty years. Learn more:

An Emergency Administrative Order was issued to the Havasu Water Company in California for numerous violations of SWDA drinking water regulations. The utility company has had a series of water supply outages and failed to appropriately inform the public of boil advisories. To protect public health, consistent access to safe drinking water, even during crisis situations, is vital.    Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/ebMzP7mE  

🎉👏💧 Happy 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act! We all share the expectation that everybody should have safe, affordable, and reliable water but we also recognize the challenges of what it takes to accomplish that. The Safe Drinking Water Act has accomplished a lot in 50 years but it’s important that we think about how that functions for the next 50 years if we want to achieve the objective of safe, affordable and reliable water for everyone, everywhere, all the time. I'm grateful for all those who have dedicated their lives to providing and protecting safe drinking water in the U.S. It truly is a miracle that most take for granted. Thanks to the SDWA, Americans enjoy some of the safest drinking water in the world, with utilities operating at a higher level of professionalism and accountability. Despite these achievements, significant challenges remain as millions across the country continue to face risks from inaccessible, unreliable or contaminated drinking water. I'm pleased to support the Declaration for the Future of Drinking Water in America, a strategic vision outlining the steps necessary to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for all Americans over the next half-century. #SDWA50 https://lnkd.in/gHEPd5JE

The delivery of safe, reliable and accessible drinking water is paramount to securing public health protection. Today as we reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (#SDWA50), we recognize that we must prioritize risks in drinking water. Read more from Council members Chad Seidel and Manny Teodoro as they share their insights on how we should prioritize risks to drinking water over the next 50 years with Circle of Blue: https://lnkd.in/gY8d8Uc2.

Today marks 50 years since President Gerald Ford signed the Safe Drinking Water Act into law on December 16, 1974. It remains one of America’s most important environmental laws and most effective public health regulations. While we have made tremendous progress, many communities still face significant risks from unreliable, inaccessible or unsafe drinking water. Read council member Manny Teodoro's recent op-ed that outlines the Council's bold vision on how we can better ensure public health, rebuild trust, and provide sustainable drinking water: https://lnkd.in/g4SSUvzm. #SDWA50

Today in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, my Op-Ed on the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, democracy, and the work before us. https://lnkd.in/gcjrsNNf

A 2017 study discovered that more than 2.1 million Americans are at risk for being exposed to dangerous levels of arsenic from their drinking water. Arsenic is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless naturally occurring containment which is toxic to all humans and was recently linked to heart disease. We must continue to evaluate the current challenges facing safe water supply in our nation so that we can continue protect public health.    More information here: https://lnkd.in/gtt7k8_R  

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, we gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison alongside fellow leaders in the drinking water community to shape the future of safe, reliable and accessible drinking water. The day was filled with thought-provoking discussions and bold ideas for the next 50 years of #drinkingwater in the U.S. The event closed with the launch of our Madison Declaration that outlines a vision for the Future of Drinking Water for the next 50 years. Join us by signing onto the declaration and learn more about our vision here: https://lnkd.in/gcTPfdKz Thank you to Manny Teodoro, La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison for hosting our event and to all of our speakers and guests for making the event memorable! #SDWA50