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Working in the United States

There are more than 2 million people in the United States without running water or a flush toilet.
We believe this is completely unacceptable. Water For People launched a United States-focused water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiative to bring our expertise and experience to the table as we engage with other organizations to build a collaborative WASH sector in the United States.

This initiative aligns with the ultimate vision of our Destination 2030 strategy: closing the gap for the 2 billion people around the world without WASH services. We’re looking forward to bringing the same systems-change approach that has helped communities create sustainable water access all over the world into North America, too.




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"Water For People has a wealth of experience working to close the water access gap globally in multiple countries by improving systems. And we have a long history of collaboration, working with communities and governments to provide technical assistance and capacity support. "

Chris Freimund
US WASH Program Manager, Water For People
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"We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to lasting safe water and sanitation services. Everyone doesn't only apply to people in low and middle-income countries. It also applies to our neighbors right here in the United States. Vessel™ gives us a tool to come together to speak with a common voice toward making the human right to water a reality for all."

Sarah Bramley
Chief Impact Officer, Water For People
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"I think the big key to our success in this sphere will be through partnerships and coalition-building, facilitating knowledge exchanges with those who are working in this area in different parts of the country, supporting and coordinating collaborative efforts, and really using our voice and platform to advocate for equitable access. "

Chris Freimund
US WASH Program Manager, Water For People
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"That more than 2 million Americans lack access to running water or basic plumbing is completely unacceptable to Water For People, so we're making a small but strategic investment to do our part to help close that gap."

Mark Duey
Co-CEO, Water For People

VESSEL:
a collective of changemakers fighting for water access

Water For People has partnered with DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit working to ensure universal access to clean water and proper sanitation in the United States. Together, we've launched Vessel™, a new collective of a dozen domestic WASH organizations taking collaborative action to close the water access gap for every person in the nation.

Vessel™ is the first step in building a formal, robust, and dedicated United States WASH sector: a network of nonprofits, funders, academics, government agencies, and other community champions to share knowledge, strategic coordination, and engage in more effective policymaking.

Vessel Collective

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 "There’s water, but you have to fight for it."

Lexus Giles has yet to use a water fountain. That’s not because she’s never had the opportunity. It’s because she grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and her family, as well as her surrounding community, have developed a lifetime of habits to get around the city’s failing water infrastructure. This includes ...
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America, like the rest of the world, is in a water crisis. Here’s what we can do.

With more than 2 million Americans lacking access to running water or basic plumbing, the U.S. water crisis has reached a critical juncture. It's a multifaceted challenge that encompasses issues such as water scarcity, pollution, structural racism, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change impacts. Chris Freimund recently joined Water For People ...
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DigDeep and Water For People Launch Vessel™ Collective to Unite Efforts in the US Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Space

October 4, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – Today, DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit working to ensure universal access to clean water and proper sanitation in the United States, is pleased to share the launch of Vessel™, a new collective of a dozen domestic WASH (Water Access, Sanitation & Hygiene) organizations ...
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Partnering to Create a US WASH Sector

WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) improvements are greatly needed in North America, too. More than two million people live without running water and basic indoor plumbing in the US, as do many of the 630 First Nations communities in Canada. The need for water and sanitation improvements is not limited ...
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The White House Global Water Security Action Plan: How Water For People is Involved and What You Can Do

"Today, billions of people around the world do not have access to clean, safe water. And in the coming years, climate change, population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation will only drive that number higher." – Vice President Kamala Harris's Global Water Security Action Plan announcement On June 1, 2022, Vice ...
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Chris Freimund, US WASH Program Manager with Water For People speaks at the One Water Summit.
Chris Freimund, US WASH Program Manager with Water For People speaks at the One Water Summit.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

US Water and Sanitation Access Convening
May 7-9th, 2024 | Hilton Washington DC National Mall | The Wharf

This convening is co-hosted by DigDeep, Water For People, and the Vessel Collective.

In a few months, we will gather leaders and practitioners from across the US WASH sector in Washington, D.C. During this convening, we will share opportunities and challenges for securing access to water and sanitation for the more than 2 million people living in the United States without these services. We will also explore solutions and community-led projects to close the gap, identify opportunities to collaborate with the government, and work to build a thriving US WASH sector. Our convening agenda is packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and create strategic solutions with others in the domestic WASH sector. On May 9th, participants will also take part in an advocacy day on Capitol Hill sharing critical insights and needs with Members of Congress and their staff.

Contact us if you'd like to learn more about attending.

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