Kaua‘i water department joins national efforts for ‘Imagine a Day Without Water’ campaign

The Department of Water will join water utilities, community leaders, educators and businesses from across the country on Thursday to honor “Imagine a Day Without Water,” a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water.

Led by the US Water Alliance’s Value of Water Campaign, over a thousand organizations across the country will join Imagine a Day Without Water on Oct. 19 to raise awareness about the role of water in our lives and the importance of investing in water and the people behind these systems.

This year, the Department of Water will host a special booth at the Grove Farm Market on Oct. 21 beginning at 9:30 a.m. to distribute collapsible water storage jugs, along with other conservation tools and prizes while supplies last, to promote the value of water. A week-long Facebook campaign via www.facebook.com/KauaiDOW is being posted from Oct. 16 to 21 and will feature daily Imagine a Day Without Water-themed posts. Water users can follow the national conversation via social media at #ValueWater and #ImagineADayWithoutWater.

The Department of Water is also extending its Imagine a Day Without Water campaign efforts to distribute a reserved inventory of collapsible water storage jugs on Maui through the help of the Department of Water Supply, County of Maui.

“We wish to extend our aloha to the communities on Maui that are in need of convenient, travel-ready water jugs and are donating 1,000 jugs to Maui in support of their recovery efforts,” said Joe Tait, the Department of Water’s Manager and Chief Engineer.

Imagine a Day Without Water was originally envisioned as an advocacy and education day that asked Americans to think about what it would mean to go without water for a day. The Department of Water and other water stewards have taken this opportunity to create local campaigns that bring this idea life with live demonstrations and community outreach efforts.

Water is especially critical during emergencies and natural disasters and having the recommended water storage is necessary. However, according to the Value of Water Campaign, there are still two million Americans living without access to clean water and sanitation services.

“We’re grateful to the Kaua‘i Department of Water for being a part of Imagine a Day Without Water,” says Oluwole (OJ) McFoy, Board Chair of the US Water Alliance and General Manager of Buffalo Sewer Authority. “Raising awareness about the state of water infrastructure is a crucial step to ensuring water systems keep flowing for generations to come. Even though we cannot see the pipes and sewers beneath our feet, water cannot be taken for granted. High-quality water service is a critical part of every thriving community.”

Water users can learn more about the Department of Water’s water infrastructure, upcoming improvement projects and water services at www.kauaiwater.org. To learn more about Imagine a Day Without Water, visit www.imagineadaywithoutwater.org.