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11 <br /> WHEREAS, today, water around the world is under extreme threat from a growing population, <br /> increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, according to UN estimates, 2.2 billion people around the world are living without <br /> access to safe water; and <br /> WHEREAS, climate change is and will continue to strain the availability, quality, and quantity of <br /> water for the basic human needs of potentially billions of people; and <br /> WHEREAS, the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the clear goal of providing safe <br /> water and sanitation for all people by 2030; and <br /> WHEREAS, the United States uses 82.3 billion gallons per day of fresh groundwater for public <br /> supply, private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and <br /> other purposes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey; and <br /> WHEREAS, water use has a direct link to overall monthly housing affordability when <br /> considering that ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, <br /> according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty <br /> reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability; and <br /> WHEREAS, people around the world and in Orange County value water for its cultural, religious <br /> and spiritual meanings; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County serves as the headwaters for three of the major NC river systems <br /> —the Cape Fear, the Neuse and the Roanoke; and <br /> WHEREAS, the County contains 15 different watersheds, 10 of which are used downstream for <br /> drinking water; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County has been working for decades to monitor and preserve water <br /> quality and quantity for residents though programs such as the Groundwater Observation Well <br /> Network and policies such as the Critical Watershed Protection Overlay Districts; and <br /> WHEREAS, dedicated community organizations such as the Triangle Women's International <br /> League for Peace and Freedom understand the critical value of water and work to support <br /> water preservation and protection in an effort to make water accessible to all; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County residents are helping to protect water quality and quantity by <br /> practicing and supporting responsible agricultural practices, wetland protection and restoration, <br /> and innovative wastewater management and reuse programs; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do proclaim March 22, <br /> 2021 as "World Water Day" in Orange County and challenge residents to celebrate the Day by <br /> sharing with each other the ways in which they value water. <br /> THIS THE 16th DAY OF MARCH, 2021. <br />