Giving Compass' Take:

• In areas of Kentucky, residents do not have access to clean water, a crisis that is part of a broader issue within the nation.

• In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the U.S. a D grade for its drinking water, due to old pipes that have been leaking for years. The American Water Works Association says it will require $1 trillion over the next 25 years to address this issue across the country.  Is there potential to tap donors for resources on funding clean water solutions within the U.S?

• Read about other areas impacted by unsafe drinking water in the U.S. 

Crumbling infrastructure in many areas of Kentucky has left residents scrambling for clean water, desperate to protect their children, and fearful of scary side effects for their own health.

Heather Blevin, who lives in Lovely, Kentucky, first noticed her well water turning brown and salty. When she hooked up her family’s home to the municipal water supply, it actually got worse — she tells the Washington Post that her water now smells like bleach, appears to be the color of urine, and makes her 7- and 8-year-old children itch after their baths.

“It shouldn’t be like that,” says Blevins, who diligently follows the county’s water Facebook page for updates for “boil water advisories.” One advisory posted on April 4 wasn’t lifted until April 11.

This region of Kentucky is like many others in Appalachia’s coal country, according to the Washington Post. In 2018, water service was shut off to many residents, and the attorney general opened a criminal investigation into mismanagement allegations, the Post reports. The Kentucky House has passed legislation asking Gov. Matt Bevin (R) to declare a state of emergency to make funds available to fix the broken water system.

State Rep. Chris Harris (D) argued for the state of emergency, warning that Martin County’s problems could soon spread.

The nation’s drinking water was given a D grade in 2017 by the American Society of Civil Engineers, pointing to the US' ancient pipes, which were designed to last 75 years but are a century old. In the US, leaks contribute to a 14% loss of treated water; in this region of Kentucky, it’s closer to 70%.

Fixing this problem carries a hefty price tag. The American Water Works Association warns that $1 trillion is needed to support the next 25 years of demand across the country.

Read the full article about Kentucky's water crisis by Lindsay Powers at Global Citizen.