Letter to the Editor: Re "Millions in U.S. Drink Dirty Water, Records Show" (New York Times)

Dear Editor,

Re: “Millions in U.S. Drink Dirty Water, Records Show” (December 7):

There are big challenges facing our public water systems, and the Times coverage makes abundantly clear the impetus to invest anew in these systems and what’s at stake if we do not.

It’s a more difficult argument to make in cash-strapped times, it’s true. Lack of political will has left our public water systems in need of at least $22 billion more each year to keep up with the demands of aging infrastructure, maintenance and growth. But investing public dollars in water infrastructure is an investment well worth making. A U.S. Conference of Mayors study reports that for every additional $1 spent locally in public water, economic activity increases as much as $2.62 and that adding one job in water can lead to 3.68 jobs in the national economy to support that job.

That's an investment that’s good both for public health and our economy.

The money should be coming from those who create the greatest expense for our water utilities. If major polluters have been unloading their waste at the public’s expense, it should be our expense no longer. The health of our children from West Virginia to the West Coast depends on this type of accountability. The first step toward holding polluters accountable is eliminating their influence on our lawmakers and regulatory agencies.

Sincerely,

Kelle Louaillier
Executive Director
Corporate Accountability International