NDWA Releases Summary of 2021-22 Highlights

The past two years have seen plenty of activity in the drinking water space, including major strides on numerous policies that benefit public health and the introduction of helpful new resource materials.

Below are a few highlights from 2021 and 2022. For a more complete list of accomplishments, click here.

POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

At the request of the White House Executive Office of the President, NDWA allies developed a memo providing background information together with policy and program recommendations for drinking water safety and access improvements to be considered for Build Back Better infrastructure investments. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021, included $55 billion of wins for water.

Also at the direct request of the White House Executive Office of the President, NDWA submitted drinking water recommendations for the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. These were based on years of research by NDWA members.

Water was included in other groups’ Conference recommendations. Learn more here.

Reports from leading groups echoed NDWA drinking water recommendations:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “From Crisis to Opportunity: Reforming Our Nation’s Policies to Help All Children Grow Up Healthy.”
National Clinical Care Commission, “Leveraging Federal Programs to Prevent and Control Diabetes and Its Complications.”
Bipartisan Policy Center, “Strengthening the Child Nutrition Programs.”

State and local jurisdictions around the nation have stepped up to support access to water in schools. Click to learn more.

ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS

Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) was not completed in 2021 or in 2022. However, NDWA continued advocacy to improve implementation of 2010’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which contained groundbreaking language requiring access to safe drinking water in schools and childcare facilities operating federal child nutrition programs. Read more about our actions.

NDWA members submitted a public comment on proposed revisions to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule.

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

Healthy beverage toolkit for Native communities

The Notah Begay III Foundation released Increase Healthy Beverage Consumption and Reduce Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: A Community Roadmap.
Read the news post to learn more and be sure to open the Roadmap.

Lead in school and childcare tap water

NDWA members provided US EPA with recommendations that informed development of EPA’s 3Ts Sampling eTracker for Schools and for child care facilities.

COVID-19 tap water safety

USDA Team Nutrition developed “Watch Out for Water Safety” when reopening buildings after pandemic closures. What was NDWA’s role? Read 2021-22 Highlights.

COVID-19 drinking water access