We Can't Afford Polluted Water

by Gloria Reuben, actress, social activist and President of Waterkeeper Alliance 

For far too long, protections for clean water and other environmental regulations have been framed as an impediment to a strong economy. When in reality, the opposite is true.

Water is the foundation of a stable and growing economy and thriving communities. Protecting everyone’s right to clean water is a moral obligation. And it’s also a financial necessity. We simply can’t afford polluted water.

Defending our shared resources from pollution means that businesses and municipalities need to invest in smart water management strategies which hinge on reliable infrastructure, policy, and regulation. Thankfully, there has been great progress with the signing of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill last November. However, the $55 billion set aside for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects doesn’t fully address the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) projections of more than $800 billion in combined funding needs. The short-term costs are daunting, yet they pale in comparison to the long-term costs of pollution and cleanups, not to mention the countless lost opportunities therein. 

Read Gloria's outstanding article here - https://greenmoney.com/we-cant-afford-polluted-water

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