National Effort to Raise Awareness and Educate Public about Challenges Facing Water Infrastructure and Water Resources, and Need for Investment
Okatie, South Carolina – September 24, 2015 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) announced its participation in the national advocacy and educational event, Imagine a Day Without Water. Across the country, organizations, elected officials, corporations, environmental advocates, and more are joining together to educate people about how water is essential, the challenges facing water and wastewater systems, and the need for investment. BJWSA is collaborating with several local city/county governments, utilities and schools to promote the event.
Many people take water service for granted. Clean, safe, reliable, and affordable water comes out of the tap and flows down the drain without a second thought. But the massive infrastructure, much of it underground, which brings water to homes and businesses, takes it away, and treats it and returns it safely to the environment, is aging.
A water main breaks somewhere in the U.S. every two minutes. Most pipes have an average life expectancy of 50 years, but in many cities, water pipes are more than 100 years old. The economies of communities heavily rely on a safe, consistent supply of water, and cannot afford to allow these water delivery systems to fail – causing a day without water.
“BJWSA is pleased that several local city/county governments are adopting resolutions of support, and students in both counties are entering our poster and essay contests,” said Ed Saxon, BJWSA general manager. “It is important to BJWSA for our customers to understand the true value of this life-sustaining resource. We are committed to providing the resources needed to maintain our infrastructure in a manner to ensure that you will never have a day without water.”
Imagine a Day Without Water
“We are thrilled that BJWSA is joining Imagine a Day Without Water. The truth is, of course, we can’t go a day without water. For homes, that would mean no water to take a shower, make coffee, clean, do laundry, or flush the toilet. For businesses from restaurants to manufacturing plants, water is essential to daily operations,” said Radhika Fox, director of the Value of Water Coalition. “During Imagine a Day Without Water, we’re speaking with one voice across the nation about how water is essential, invaluable, and needs investment.”
From October 6-8, 2015, elected officials in Jasper and Beaufort County are issuing proclamations and resolutions, water advocates are spreading the message over social media, and schools in both counties are joining in the effort. Everyone participating in Imagine a Day Without Water is coming together to educate the nation that water is essential and that we must invest in it for future generations.
More information about BJWSA can be found here: https://bjwsa.org. Learn more about Imagine a Day Without Water here: http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/
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