Take Action: Be a Water Warrior!
I. Stop Drinking Bottled Water
If you are concerned about the safety of your tap water, use a water filter. A quality filter can be bought for around $40 and will give you water at least as good as the water you get in bottles. You will save money in the long run. You will reduce the use of plastic. And most importantly, you will be resisting the privatization of water, which is making it into a commodity available only to those who can pay.
II. Keep Our Water Sources Safe
If you are concerned about the safety of your tap water, advocate to Save the Clean Water Act! Ensure that the water that comes out of your tap, that is the primary source of water for many Americans, is clean and safe. Safe drinking water should not be contingent upon ability to pay for bottles or even filters.
III. Do a Water Audit
Many utility companies offer this service for free. Take advantage of it. A leaky faucet or old toilet could be wasting hundreds of gallons a year. Find additional suggestions on little things you can do that will make a big difference.
IV. Gather Information
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) suggests these questions:
- Find the source of your water. Where does it come from?
- Test the water in your home or congregation. Is it safe?
- Who makes decisions about the water in your community?
- What does your water bill pay for? Anything besides water?
- What happens in your community if a family cannot pay their water bill?
Participate in Inside the Bottle, which maps the location of bottling plants. When water bottling companies establish a plant in a community they take not only water from the regions aquifers or municipal water utilities, but often they receive massive subsidies and tax exemptions.
V. Create Awareness
Host a Water Justice Film Festival!
Show the videos "Thirst" and "It's Our Water, Dam It" to your congregation or community group. Contact the UUSC to borrow copies. See other suggestions on films to show.
For more information contact environment @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, June 20, 2008.
