HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2026-007-World Water Day ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORLD WATER DAY
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS , the United Nations ( UN ) has declared March 22 "d 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 2026 is "Where water flows , equality grows , "
highlighting safe water and sanitation as human rights and critical enablers of gender
equality ; and
WHEREAS , the intended goals of World Water Day 2026 is to ensure safe water and
sanitation for all and to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls ; 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
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 includes 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 watershed protection zoning ,
the Upper Neuse River Basin Association , the Jordan Lake One Water initiative , the
Groundwater Observation Well Network , and policies to address the impacts of climate
change ; 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 , proclaim March
221 2026 as "World Water Day" in Orange County and encourage County residents to
celebrate the Day by sharing with each other the ways in which they value water .
THIS THE 5T" DAY OF MARCH , 2026 .
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r an Hamilton , Chair
17 Orange County Board of Commissioners
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Clerk to the oard of Commissioners