You’ve probably seen the headlines – “Pennsylvania drinking water ranks third worst in the nation,” “Pennsylvania should act now on drinking water problems says EPA,” and “Pittsburgh tries to avoid becoming the next Flint.” Water is our most precious resource. Clean water is absolutely essential to the health of our families, our communities and our economy. So, why are we failing to protect our water from contamination? 

Today, PennFuture is launching Water is Life Month to focus on the causes and solutions to our critical water problems. As legislators enter into budget negotiations, we need to remind them that they have an absolute duty under our state constitution to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to clean water. We must demand that they do their jobs and provide the funding necessary for our state and local governments to address the pollution contaminating our water and protect water that is clean. 

Pennsylvania’s majestic watersheds – the Delaware, Susquehanna and Allegheny – lace together our landscapes and communities. Their world-class tributaries, like Spruce Creek, Letort Spring Run and the Yellow Breeches Creek, draw anglers from all over the world. Paddlers test their whitewater skills on the Youghiogheny and the Lehigh. French Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny River in Western Pennsylvania, is the most ecologically significant stream east of the Mississippi River, as its clear waters harbor 29 different species of freshwater mussels and 80 species of fish. 

Water is life. It’s that simple. Over the course of the next month, PennFuture and guest writers will focus on the key water issues facing Pennsylvania, including: 

• The Trump administration and Scott Pruitt’s Environmental Protection Agency attack on clean water laws; 
• Susquehanna River water quality and Chesapeake Bay restoration; 
• The path forward for clean water in the Delaware River; 
• Lead in our drinking water; 
• The greatest threats to clean water; 
• How you can help us demand clean water from our national and state legislators; 
• And much more. 

So, watch for our blogs and follow us on social media for more critical information, engage in conversations and take action, and learn more about what you can do to keep Pennsylvania’s water clean and healthy for us all.