Water for the Poor Act Report to Congress

Earlier this week, the State Department released its most recent report to Congress describing the U.S. strategy and progress in meeting the requirements and achieving the goals of the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. The Act seeks “to provide affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries” while adhering to sound water resource management techniques. According to the report, in the 2007 fiscal year (FY), the United States committed more than $2.4 billion to worldwide water sector efforts, more than $900 million of which helped fund water- and sanitation-related efforts in developing countries (not including Iraq). However, USAID’s funding for drinking water supply, sanitation, and hygiene activities decreased in FY 2007 (from approximately $265 million in 2006 to $212.7 million in 2007, excluding supplemental appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and disasters), “due to competing priorities and the completion of Middle East infrastructure projects.”

The report highlights the three principal objectives of the U.S.:

• Increasing access to, and effective use of safe drinking water and sanitation to improve human health
• Improve water resources management among competing needs
• Improve water productivity, especially in agriculture and industry

The U.S. approach to achieve these goals consists of five fundamental elements:

• Capacity building, institutional strengthening, and regulatory reform
• Diplomatic engagement
• Direct investment
• Investments in science and technology
• Working in partnership

The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act requires at least $300 million to be made available for the implementation of the Water for the Poor Act and, according to the report, strongly emphasizes improvements in drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. The goals and approaches outlined above provide the foundation for U.S. regional strategies to achieve a more water secure world. To view the full report, please click here.