US Global Water Strategy in the Age of America First

The vision of the US Global Water Strategy is achieving a water-secure world. Its goal is to improve health, prosperity, stability, and resilience through sustainable and equitable water resources management and access to safe drinking water and sanitation services and hygiene practices. It identifies high-priority countries (HPCs) that need US assistance in improving potable water and sanitation services. The table below provides a list of HPCs. These countries are selected based on the severity of water insecurity, the potential for conflict, and the impact of targeted interventions.

US Global Water Strategy Funding

The 2014 World Water Act calls for a whole-of-government approach involving fourteen departments and agencies to provide a multi-billion dollar program to address water issues in 22 countries.

US Domestic Water Issues

This program is underway at a time when there is a need for significant investment in the US to address domestic water challenges that include priorities such as:

• Replacing Lead Pipes: Estimated cost of $45 billion to replace lead pipes nationwide.
• Helping US Communities with Failed Water Systems: For example, Jackson, Mississippi which will require over $1 billion to overhaul its failing water infrastructure.
• Broad Challenges: Aging infrastructure, contamination issues, and inequitable access highlight the need for an estimated $110 billion over the next decade to ensure reliable water services across the US.

Opportunity Costs: Senegal vs. Jackson, Mississippi

• Investing Abroad: US assistance in Senegal and similar nations aims to reduce poverty, prevent conflict, and promote stability, benefiting millions of underserved populations.
• Investing Domestically: Addressing crises like Jackson's water system failure directly improves public health and equity within the US. It also addresses potential legal and political pressures.
• Opportunity Cost: Allocating resources abroad may delay addressing critical domestic needs like replacing lead pipes and upgrading deteriorated systems. Conversely, ignoring international needs could increase instability and global health risks.

Conclusion

While US assistance globally addresses critical water crises and enhances diplomatic relations, balancing these efforts with urgent domestic needs is vital to achieving equitable and sustainable water access. In a time of DOGE, there may be increased accountability and a heightened sense of how much debt we can continue to incur. Ironically, both domestic water initiatives and those overseas suffer from some of the same issues regarding maintenance and sustainability.