Filling a glass from the kitchen tap. Running a hot shower. Flushing the toilet. These are everyday acts that most Americans take for granted. But for more than 2 million people in the United States, these simple tasks are impossible.<\/p>\n
According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Water Alliance<\/a> and DigDeep, millions of Americans lack basic indoor plumbing \u2013 including an estimated 48% of Native American households. Native families are 19 times more likely than white households to lack access to indoor plumbing, as reported by the 2021 Water and Tribes Initiative<\/a>. The result is a persistent public health crisis, one that became deadly during COVID-19 when elders and children in tribal communities were unable to follow basic hygiene recommendations due to unsafe or nonexistent water infrastructure.<\/p>\n The barriers to clean and safe water for tribal nations are systemic. Infrastructure investment has been historically insufficient. Federal, state, and tribal jurisdictions overlap in confusing and inefficient ways. Many tribes face unresolved water rights, and programs like the Indian Health Service\u2019s Sanitation Facilities Construction initiative remain chronically underfunded. In 2021, IHS estimated a $3 billion shortfall just to meet current water and sanitation needs in tribal areas.<\/p>\n The Journal\u2019s <\/em>editorial board believes this crisis is long past due for meaningful action. That\u2019s why we are encouraged by efforts from New Mexico\u2019s Sen. Martin Heinrich who reintroduced S. 2272, Tribal Access to Clean Water, and Colorado\u2019s Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, among others nationally, who cosponsored it (Jo<\/em>urnal<\/em>, <\/a>July 22). Heinrich and Bennet originally introduced the bill in 2021 and 2023. Although it received bipartisan support each time, it did not advance out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs since many members of Congress believed what was desired had been achieved through other appropriations.<\/p>\n The reintroduced legislation would:<\/p>\n We\u2019re also heartened to see Colorado\u2019s full congressional delegation unite across party lines. On Aug. 4, all 10 members signed a bipartisan letter <\/a>urging the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation to release $140 million in federal funds that had been withheld. These funds \u2013 made available through the Inflation Reduction Act \u2013 are designated for 17 drought-stricken projects across the Colorado River Basin. These projects are critical to improving water quality, ensuring delivery, and protecting endangered habitats.<\/p>\n In a state where drought conditions are worsening \u2013 88% of Montezuma County is experiencing severe drought<\/a> \u2013 we need elected leaders to treat water access like the existential issue it is. NOAA\u2019s latest drought outlook shows no relief in sight. Our monsoon season is barely a whisper. Just step outside and look up.<\/p>\n