Congressman Joe Neguse Introduces Resolution Reaffirming the Importance of Tribal Access to Clean Water

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Chair of the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands introduced a resolution reaffirming the federal government's responsibility to provide access to clean drinking water for Native American communities.

"Access to reliable, clean drinking water is an essential human need, tied to public health and the well-being of every community," said Congressman Joe Neguse. "In the midst of a pandemic that has disproportionately harmed Native Americans it is crucial that the Federal government is ensuring Tribal communities and Alaska Native villages have access to this basic resource. Our resolution reaffirms that a whole-of-government approach, and collaboration with Tribal governments, is warranted to ensure clean drinking water is attainable for our Native American communities.

The lack of access to clean drinking water is a significant barrier for many Native American communities. According to data from the Indian Health Service, nearly half of Native American households do not have access to reliable water sources and clean drinking water.

A report commissioned by the Colorado River Water and Tribes Initiative documents the different forms of lack of access to safe and reliable drinking water among tribes in the Colorado River Basin, together with some of the deficiencies in the federal programs designed to address this problem and recommendations for improvement. Lack of access to drinking water has significant impacts on health, education, economic development, and other aspects of daily life.

The resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Jared Huffman, Nanette Barragán and Grace Napolitano. Senator Michael Bennet is leading a companion resolution in the Senate.

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