The Biden-Harris Administration has made a significant commitment to improve water equity and access in the United States. With a pledge of $500 million, the administration aims to support around 1,500 disadvantaged communities across the country. This landmark announcement was made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water, Radhika Fox, at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 Meeting in New York.

To execute this commitment, the EPA will partner with various academic, philanthropic, non-profit, and private sector entities. Some of the organizations involved in this initiative include Columbia World Projects, the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, and the National Rural Water Association. Through these partnerships, the administration hopes to ensure that more communities have access to essential water services.

The Advancing Water Equity and Access for All Commitment focuses on closing the water equity gap in America. It will provide targeted technical assistance to communities, helping them invest in critical water infrastructure. This includes services for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management. The commitment comes at a crucial time, as an estimated 2.2 million people in the United States currently lack access to basic drinking water and indoor plumbing.

Furthermore, many communities are at risk of infrastructure failure due to severe climate events or prolonged periods of drought. This issue is exacerbated by climate change, which is expected to disproportionately affect disadvantaged and underserved communities. By addressing these pressing water challenges, the Biden-Harris Administration aims to promote equity and ensure that all communities have access to clean and safe water.