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The Netherlands announces $ 50 million contribution to WSSCC for global sanitation coverage
Arsenic naturally occurs in California ’ s groundwater , it was reported . Besides damaging a child ’ s developing brain , arsenic has been known to cause hypertension and diabetes .
“ More than three years after the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency found California in noncompliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act , 95 community water systems in the state , serving more than 55,000 people , are still providing water with illegal levels of arsenic ,” according to a report from the Environmental Integrity Project ( EIP ) that came out recently which states that 55,985 people are affected .
The report stated that one of the issues with California ’ s handling of the arsenic exposure is the lack of warning for people who live in poorer communities . These residents , unfortunately , have been exposed to arsenic for at least five years , according to the report .
“ California public water systems notify customers through letters sent to homes whenever water fails to meet health limits for arsenic , but those same notices suggest the water is safe to drink ,” EIP executive director Eric Schaeffer said .
The state has made progress in reducing arsenic and other contaminants in drinking water in the last three years , the report said . Steps were taken , such as doubling the amount of funding for water treatment plants , pipelines , and new wells .
California also ordered the upgrade of local systems and directed small , “ underfunded utilities to merge with larger water suppliers .”
As a result , the U . S . EPA decided that in May the state was once again in accordance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act .
“ Public health experts say that drinking water with arsenic is a lot like smoking ,” EIP director of communications Tom Pelton reported . “ When you smoke a cigarette you ’ re not going to drop dead immediately from one cigarette but the longer you smoke the bigger your cancer risk . It ’ s just not right in the richest country in the world that we should have people drinking contaminated water .”
Netherlands-announces-50-m-USD-commitment-to-WSSCC
The funding will enable WSSCC , the only part of the United Nations devoted solely to the sanitation and hygiene needs of the most vulnerable people around the world , to empower 5 million additional people to access improved sanitation by 2020 .
“ In 2015 , the Netherlands pledged to achieve universal access to water for 30 million people and sanitation for 50 million people by 2030 ,” said Mark Rutte , Prime Minister of the Netherlands , in a video shown at Global Citizen ’ s World on Stage event held in New York City at the NYU Skirball Center . “ And today I ’ m proud to announce that the Government of the Netherlands will be donating 50 million dollars to the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council to foster our joint efforts !”
The announcement was made during Global Citizen ’ s exclusive night of music , advocacy , and impact with Tom Morello , Kesha , and Paul Simon presenting the inaugural George Harrison Global Citizen Award .
Henk Ovink , the Netherlands ’ special envoy for international water affairs , joined Amina J . Mohammed , the Chair of WSSCC and Minister of Environment for the Federal Republic of Nigeria , at the announcement .
“ I can assure you that the commitment from the Netherlands will transform the lives of millions of women and girls , the elderly , the disabled , and the most vulnerable ,” said Mohammed .
“ The Netherlands stands firmly committed to a watersecure world , where every citizen of every nation can access clean drinking water , and where safe sanitation and hygiene is a reality for all ,” added Ovink .
12 Africa Water , Sanitation & Hygiene • November - December 2016