HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2022-002-World water day proclamation 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 deart 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
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supply , private supply , irrigation , livestock , manufacturing , . mining , thermoelectric power ,
and other purposes , according to the U . S . Geological Survey , 55 %0 of the population
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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
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 .
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Renee Price , Chair
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5� Orange County Board of Commissioners
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