As I write this, the country is watching the sobering aftermath of Hurricane Helene unfold across much of the Southeast at the same time that Hurricane Milton is taking aim at the Florida coast. And just two weeks before Helene made landfall, Hurricane Francine came ashore near New Orleans. Although much less severe, that storm also caused power outages for thousands of families, including mine. A couple of days in, a comment from my sweaty eight-year-old son stopped me in my tracks: “This is rough, but can you imagine if we lost water, too?”
Unfortunately, many communities in the path of storms this season did not have to imagine a day—or weeks—without water services. With more stories in the headlines about unprecedented weather events and their impact on water access, we are reminded of the powerful and deeply personal role that water plays in our lives.
As we approach Imagine a Day Without Water this year, let’s not lose sight of the purpose behind this event: to gather with those far and wide in appreciation of our most critical resource, with the hope that our collective recognition fosters more support and funding for water services and the people who provide them.
Join us on October 17 by adding your drop to the bucket through anything from a simple social media post using the hashtag #ImagineADayWithoutWater, to organizing a water-themed event in your community, to donating to a hurricane relief effort. No matter how you choose to participate, I hope you’re reminded of the incredible value of water in your life.
