Budget Cut, Contamination, and Scarcity of Drinkable Water

Water is the most important resource on earth, about 71% of Earth is covered by water. However, less than 1% of water is drinkable, which means that the availability of water is very important for the human community. The budget cut will lead to pollution and safety issues for drinkable water. 

Water is essential for life, playing a crucial role in numerous bodily functions and overall health. It helps regulate body temperature, transports nutrients, lubricates joints, and aids in waste removal. Most of living things are not able to survive without drinking water, especially humans. However, the budget for water was obviously reduced and it caused many major issues in society.

According to the Environmental Protection Network, it says that “The potential $2.46 billion cut to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) would represent a historic rollback of federal investment in local and state water infrastructure. These funds are fundamental to modernizing aging drinking water systems, preventing lead contamination, and safeguarding the drinking water supply for millions of Americans. Eliminating or drastically cutting SRF funding on such a large scale could exacerbate the public health crisis and disproportionately harm low-income and underserved communities.” This fact shows how the reduction of the water budget can lead to an increase in the risk of contamination and cause many serious safety related issues.

Moreover, almost 400 water systems serving nearly one million Californians do not meet the state’s safe and reliable drinking water supply requirements. This prove that the safety of water becomes one of the major issues in our state because of the budget reduction. It is unconscionable for a state that has rich resources to ensure that people have access to the rights of water using. Fortunately, while the cost of ensuring all Californians have access to a safe and convenient water supply over the next five years is estimated at $16 billion, the state is currently facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit.

In conclusion, drinking water is important to every life on Earth, and cutting water budgets is a dangerous decision for any country. Governments should take action to guarantee people's right to clean water and invest more resources in water conservation to effectively protect human society.

Aug. 17, 2025 | Selena Xiao @ Non-Toxic SGV