Today, Imagine a Day Without Water

October 17, 2024

Can you imagine waking up and not being able to flush your toilets, take a shower, make a cup of coffee, or fill the pets’ water bowls? 

Now imagine that it’s not just your home, but your entire community: no water for manufacturing; no water for fire crews to keep you safe; no water for farmers to irrigate crops and grow food. 

Today, #ImagineADayWithoutWater celebrates its tenth year of raising awareness about the critical role water plays in every aspect of our lives.

The last decade has brought some key changes in the way our nation values water. The $62 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a historic federal investment in water through increased incentives to develop equitable water systems that alleviate climate impacts, promote sustainability, and ensure everyone has access to our most precious resource. It’s the single largest investment in water in the history of our nation.

But even though we’ve come a long way, there’s still much progress to be made. That’s where you fit in. Everyone has a stake in the future of our nation’s water. And for this milestone year, we want you to consider one question: What’s your drop in the bucket? What can you do to protect and preserve water?

Here are five simple ideas to get you started:

The Value of Water

According to the CDC Foundation, at least 2.2 million Americans live in homes without running water or basic plumbing. Polluted water sources, failing infrastructure, drought, and severe storms have left communities reeling all across the nation. In Florida alone, the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left millions without power and water. 

That’s why today, Oct. 17, we’re observing Imagine a Day Without Water, a National Day of Action intended to unite communities and policymakers to advance greater and more equitable investment in water systems.

It’s also a time to consider your own impact on the environment and think about Source Water Protection.

A Disconnect at the Tap

Most of us don’t think about where our water comes from, or where it goes. We turn on the tap, and clean water flows out. We flush the toilet, and wastewater goes away.

When you have reliable water service, you don’t have to think about the infrastructure that brings water to your home or business and returns it safely to the environment—but we should.

We should also consider how much water we waste, and the impact of chemicals and other pollutants on our source water, because we have a very limited supply.

Although water covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, almost all of it—96.5 percent—is saltwater. That means just 3 percent is freshwater, and of that, only 1.2 percent can be used as drinking water!

Water is essential to public sanitation and health. In communities with inadequate water and wastewater infrastructure, the public health consequences have been dire. 

Water Infrastructure at a Glance

The U.S. water infrastructure is old. In many places, including right here in the Lehigh Valley, some pipes have been in place for more than a century. As this system continues to age and deteriorate, street flooding, water service disruptions, and the resulting damages increase. Each day in the United States, a water main breaks every 2 minutes.

Infrastructure requires regular maintenance, rehabilitation, and updates. Our Capital Plans outline major projects and investments projected over a 5-year period. You can read the plans and learn more about them on our Finance page. Investments in the system are critical in the protection of public health and the environment. 

Over the next decade, we will make substantial investments in the Kline’s Island Sewer System (KISS). Treating 32 million gallons of wastewater daily, KISS is vital to the health and safety of the communities we serve. Most components of KISS were built in the 1920s to 1980s, and it’s time to reinvest in this essential system to protect public health and the environment for generations to come. Learn more about the plans to maintain and upgrade KISS at an open house this month.

Curious about where your water comes from, and what’s in it? You can find out its source, see water test results, and find out how we treat it with our Water Quality Map. You can also take our Customer Service Line Survey. We have a similar tool that you can use to learn about your wastewater service.

Securing our Future

Imagine a Day Without Water is an opportunity to share why water is important to you, your business, and your community.

Together, we can speak with one voice and ask public officials to take responsibility for our water today and tomorrow.

As an individual, you may wonder where you fit into ensuring a day without water doesn’t become a reality. It’s a daunting task, but our collective voice can make a real, lasting impact. Education is key.

Teach your children about the value of water, too. Get the facts by downloading the Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure. Parents and teachers can check out our Water Education page for games and activities that will help show kids the value of water.

Let’s all try to Imagine a Day Without Water — so that we don’t have to face the reality. A day without water doesn’t have to be inevitable. Let’s work toward a future in which a day without water is something everyone can only imagine.

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