Washington, D.C. (Oct 5, 2023) – The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC), established to address the critical need for more federal investment into our nation’s water infrastructure, has joined Vessel™, a new collective of a dozen domestic WASH (Water Access, Sanitation & Hygiene) organizations taking collaborative action to close the water access gap for every person in the nation. Vessel™ is being spearheaded by DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit working to ensure universal access to clean water and proper sanitation in the United States, and Water For People, a nonprofit working across nine countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa to address the global water crisis.

“ABWC advocates every day for increased federal investment to improve our nation’s severely underfunded water infrastructure, which, if provided, would help close the immense water access gap for the more than 2 million people living without running water and basic plumbing and spur economic development in these communities,” said Mae Stevens, chief executive officer of ABWC. “We are thrilled to join the dozen other organizations that make up Vessel™ to come together and help address this critical water crisis.”

“Closing the water access gap in the United States is too large of a problem for any one organization to solve alone,” said DigDeep’s Director of Policy & Coalitions, Kabir Thatte. “Vessel™ is an effort to bring collective action to this complex, and often hidden, issue. We look forward to working alongside other nonprofits, policymakers, academia, and business leaders to uplift the voices of impacted communities and find lasting solutions.”

The collective’s goals include:

• Coalition building: Uniting NGOs, academics, public and private sectors, Vessel™ forms a structured domestic coalition for unified action.
• Community amplification: Engaging frontline communities and WASH leaders, Vessel™ gains insights and tailors strategies to the crisis.
• Target setting: Collectively defining goals and actionable targets, Vessel™ paves the way for a comprehensive domestic response.
• Knowledge sharing: Equipping sector organizations with practical knowledge, solutions, and training through workshops.
• Public awareness: Amplifying urgency among stakeholders, officials, and the public for a united purpose.
• Advocacy for change: Coordinating a policy agenda to drive reforms and secure resources for marginalized communities.

To learn more about Vessel™, visit vesselcollective.us, and to learn more about ABWC, please visit businesswatercoalition.com

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About American Business Water Coalition

The American Business Water Coalition is a group of water-reliant businesses—from manufacturing to energy to tech and beyond. The coalition provides a platform for businesses across the country to urge Congress and the Administration to increase investment in water infrastructure, and foster relationships between businesses and their local utilities. Learn more about the coalition here: businesswatercoalition.com

About Vessel™

Vessel™ is a collective of national WASH organizations dedicated to addressing the water and sanitation crisis in the United States. Formed with the belief in collective action, the coalition aims to close the U.S. Water Gap through collaboration, community engagement, setting actionable targets, knowledge exchange, policy advocacy, and raising public awareness. By uniting organizations with a shared mission and forming the foundation of the domestic U.S. WASH sector, Vessel™ strives to ensure every individual's right to clean and reliable water services. For more information, please visit vesselcollective.us.

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