Burchett / V Senator Montosa

S.S.S._____

A BILL
To preserve, protect, and secure our national climate and resource by conserving water.
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This act may be cited as the Montosa Act of 2015.
SECTION 2. FINDINGS
Congress hereby finds and declares that,
A. One billion people around the world don't have access to clean, safe water.
B)Digging pit latrines and treating drinking water with chlorine, filters and other simple, existing technologies can
save millions of lives
C) Climate change is also expected to result in more variable weather patterns throughout California. More
variability can lead to longer and more severe droughts. In addition, the sea level will continue to rise threatening the
sustainability of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of the California water supply system and the source of
water for 25 million Californians and millions of acres of prime farmland.
D) Only 1% of the earth's water is available for drinking water. Two
percent is frozen.
E) If every household in America had a faucet that dripped once each
second, 928 million gallons of water a day
would leak away.
F) Nearly 97 percent of all the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2 percent is locked in ice caps
and glaciers. That leaves 1 percent for all our needs.
G) Outdoor water use accounts for about 55 percent of the residential water use in the Front Range urban area, most
of which is used on turf.
H) An average of 8% of all home water use is wasted through leaks.
I) Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons of water each month.
J) Forty out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average conditions in some portion of their
states over the next decade.
SECTION 3. STATUTORY LANGUAGE
A) The Montosa Act of 2015 shall impose water conservation laws in order to preserve our countrys natural
resources and climate. The definition of conservation is preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural
environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.
B) The Montosa Act of 2015 shall limit water usage to 85 gallons of water for each citizen of the United States per
day as well as providing incentives to the agricultural community to grow less water dependent produce during times
of drought and water shortage. The Montosa Act of 2015 shall give oversight and enforcement to the US Department
of Health and Human Services.
C) If any citizen of the United States violates this law shall be subject to pay a fine of $50 per gallon over maximum
allowance. Any citizen who fails to pay amount due, will be sentenced to 5 months in jail.

Climate Change: Water Conservation

Climate change is a relevant threat to our environment and the world we live in. Our natural resources are quickly being
depleted and if action is not taken to conserve and protect the world we live in our lives will be drastically affected in a negative
manner. Water is arguably the most valuable resource that we have: it is essential to all living beings. In recent years, water
resources have drastically reduced and is affecting our global climate. It is necessary for our nation to take action in protecting our
water resources so that we can sustain a stable climate for future generations. The benefits of conserving water include saving
money and energy, protecting our environment and climate, and to support life.
Saving water also means saving money. There are many measures that one could take to save water that would also save
money. For instance, if one was to fix a leak in their home, it would save wasted clean water. According to American Water Works
Association, If every household in America had a faucet that dripped once each second, 928 million gallons of water a day would
leak away which would in turn waste millions of dollars as well. In addition, the US spends millions of dollars to fund agricultural
irrigation. Agriculture is a major user of ground and surface water in the United States, accounting for approximately 80 percent
of the Nation's consumptive water use and over 90 percent in many Western States(USDA). Using more effective methods of
irrigation could save countless gallons of water and save money that could be used for other national obligations. Saving water is
not only beneficial to our global and national environmental standing, but saving water also saves money.
Water conservation is crucial in order to protect our environment. If our water resources reach total depletion, life would
cease to exist. All life depends on water. According to Water & Sanitation Access, The water crisis is the #1 global risk based on
impact to society (as a measure of devastation), as announced by the World Economic Forum in January 2015. Because clean
water is so scarce- making up only 1% of total available water- 663 million people - 1 in 10 - lack access to safe water(Water &
Sanitation Access). Water is a vital substance which makes it a pressing and controversial topic, but an important one, nonetheless.
Nasa has made observations of clear signs of global warming and climate change in the American Northwest, Changes in the
timing of streamflow reduce water supplies for competing demands. Sea level rise, erosion, inundation, risks to infrastructure, and
increasing ocean acidity pose major threats. Increasing wildfire, insect outbreaks, and tree diseases are causing widespread tree dieoff(NASA). All life is dependent on water, and if our water usage trends continue, our resources will be exhausted.
The health of all living things relies on water. Not only is it necessary to consume water, but water is needed for sanitation.
Sanitation: Facts, Figures, and Resources states that Lack of access to sanitation carries significant human costs. Poor sanitation,
water, and hygiene lead to about 700,000 premature deaths annually. Clean water is essential, therefore, measures need to be taken
to ensure clean drinking water. Additionally, Forty out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average conditions
in some portion of their states over the next decade(Environmental Protection Agency). This will drastically affect how people
carry out their daily lives. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will experience absolute water scarcity, and 2/3 of the world will be living
under water-stressed conditions(Few Resources). If a person decides not to conserve water now, he or she will ultimately be forced
to decrease water usage out of necessity.
Ultimately, climate change is a crucial, daunting, and real threat to our nation and world. Decreasing water
resources plays a vital role in climate change and is essential to live, therefore, it is important that we take effective measures in
conserving water. Without conserving water, we waste money, and threaten our environment as well as our health. Failure to
conserve water will result in global crises and potentially the extinction of all living things on earth. For this purpose, it is vital that
we, as Americans, take the necessary steps to conserve water, for the benefit of ourselves, our nation, our world, and future
generations.