HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-15-22; 4-b - World Water Day Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 15, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: World Water Day Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Lib Hutchby, Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom,
(919) 606-8280
Steve Arndt, (919) 245-2626
Wesley Poole, (919) 245-2513
PURPOSE: To proclaim March 22, 2022 as World Water Day in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: In 1992, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution to
declare the 22nd of March each year as "World Day for Water." In observing World Water Day,
governments are invited to devote the Day to the promotion of public awareness, focusing
attention on the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater
resources.
This year, the theme for World Water Day is "Groundwater - Making the Invisible Visible."
Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Groundwater may be out of sight,
but it must not be out of mind. The theme draws attention to the hidden water resource that has
always been critically important, but not fully recognized in sustainable development
policymaking.
This year's campaign will explain groundwater's vital role in water and sanitation systems,
agriculture, industry, ecosystems and climate change adaptation. The overarching message of
the campaign is that exploring, protecting and sustainably using groundwater will be central to
surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population (from
https://www.unwater.org/world-water-day-2022-groundwater/).
Upcoming activities related to World Water Day include the UN-Water Summit on Groundwater
2022 scheduled for December 7 and 8, 2022, which aims to bring attention to groundwater at the
highest international level. Orange County Creek Week will be held March 12-19, 2022
(www.orangecountVnc.gov/CreekWeek).
Events locally in March include:
• the Haw River Clean-up Athon to be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022;
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• The Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association will lead Creek Week (March 12 through 19,
2022) with Clean-Up to be held on Saturdays - March 12 & 19, 2022.
(https://www.ellerbecreek.org/attend-an-event.html);
• Maude Barlow, and internationally known Canadian writer and activist, will participate in a
webinar on March 22, 2022 hosted by Food & Water Watch, with experts and community
leaders discussing how to pass the WATER Act, stop water privatization, and ensure clean,
affordable water for all (Register here); and
• The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF-Triangle) and Triangle
Raging Grannies will invite the public to celebrate World Water Day 2022 at a
"Groundwater— Making the Invisible Visible" event to be held at Northgate Park in Durham
on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 1:00-4:00 pm. The event will include an American Indian
Water Blessing, water quality exploration, activities for children, interpretive dance, a
parade with Paperhand Puppets, Raging Grannies, the reading of Orange County's
Proclamation, scientific explanations of groundwater, and more.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
Safe and abundant water is a critical component to preserving and growing the County's
economy.
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental
laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people
should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences
resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.
Celebrating World Water Day helps to acknowledge the various ways that Orange County
residents value water in cultural groups, industries, and domestic lives, leading to a more
complete understanding of water's importance and the need to preserve equitable access to it.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts are applicable to this item:
• RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY
Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of
the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases.
Celebrating World Water Day shows support for minimizing impacts on the water supply.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation on behalf of the Board.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORLD WATER DAY
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the United Nations (UN) has declared March 22nd as World Water Day and
has invited governments around the world to devote the Day to the promotion of public
awareness of the importance of water and the sustainable management of water
resources; and
WHEREAS, the theme for World Water Day 2022 is "Groundwater - Making the Invisible
Visible," highlighting that Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere,
and though it may be out of sight, Groundwater must not be out of mind; and
WHEREAS, the intended goal of World Water Day 2022 is to acknowledge groundwater
as a hidden treasure that enriches our lives, that everyone needs to work together to
sustainably manage this precious resource, and that exploring, protecting and sustainably
using groundwater will be central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting
the needs of a growing population; and
WHEREAS, today, water around the world is under extreme threat from a growing
population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts
of climate change; and
WHEREAS, according to UN estimates, 2.2 billion people around the world are living
without access to safe water; and
WHEREAS, climate change is and will continue to strain the availability, quality, and
quantity of water for the basic human needs of potentially billions of people; and
WHEREAS, the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the clear goal of providing
safe water and sanitation for all people by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the United States uses 82.3 billion gallons per day of groundwater for public
supply, private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power,
and other purposes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and 55% of the population
of North Carolina depends on groundwater for drinking water; and
WHEREAS, water use has a direct link to overall monthly housing affordability when
considering that ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day,
according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes that water and sanitation measures are key to
poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability; and
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WHEREAS, people around the world and in Orange County value water for its cultural,
religious and spiritual meanings; and
WHEREAS, Orange County serves as the headwaters for three of the major NC river
systems — the Cape Fear, the Neuse and the Roanoke; and
WHEREAS, the County contains 15 different watersheds, 10 of which are used
downstream for drinking water; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has been working for decades to monitor and preserve water
quality and quantity for residents though programs such as the Groundwater Observation
Well Network and policies such as the Critical Watershed Protection Overlay Districts;
and
WHEREAS, dedicated community organizations such as the Triangle Women's
International League for Peace and Freedom understand the critical value of water and
work to support water preservation and protection in an effort to make water accessible
to all; and
WHEREAS, Orange County residents are helping to protect water quality and quantity by
practicing and supporting responsible agricultural practices, wetland protection and
restoration, and innovative wastewater management and reuse programs;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do proclaim
March 22, 2022 as "World Water Day" in Orange County and challenge residents to
celebrate the Day by sharing with each other the ways in which they value water.
THIS THE 15T" DAY OF MARCH, 2022.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners