PSI Senior VP Speaks on Capitol Hill about Safe Water

WASHINGTON, DC, September 23, 2008 — Sally Cowal, PSI's Senior Vice President and Chief Liaison Officer, joined Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR) and other speakers at a briefing on "Global Water Futures: A Roadmap for Future U.S. Policy Engagement," sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Cowal's comments to the audience stressed the immediate availability of simple, affordable solutions to alleviate the enormous burden of diarrheal disease around the world. She urged full implementation of a 2005 law, the Water For The Poor Act (PL 109-121), that aimed to expand access to safe drinking water and sanitation, improve water resources management and increase water productivity in developing countries. Cowal commended Congress for scaling up funding for the Water for the Poor Act to $300 million in Fiscal Year 2008, and indicated that $500 million is needed in Fiscal Year 2009 to support the extension of water, sanitation, and hygiene to about 10 million people.

Congressman Blumenauer, the author of the Water For The Poor Act, said he was "frustrated that we're losing the race" to reduce by half the number of people with access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, one of the purposes of the law. He noted that the United States has the tools and ability to meet that goal and said he will be offering legislation to strengthen the 2005 law, and will work with the next President on its implementation.

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PSI Senior VP and CLO, Sally Cowal, addresses the issues of safe water on Capitol Hill.