Army Observes World Water Day

By Alex A. Beehler, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations, Energy and EnvironmentMarch 26, 2020

Army World Water Day Message

On 22 March 2020, we will celebrate World Water Day. Army readiness is dependent on access to the water resources we need to operate today and preserve our operating flexibility in the future. This year’s World Water Day theme of “waiting is not as option” reminds us to take action now to ensure access to clean and reliable sources of water for our Army, Soldiers, Civilians, Families and their communities.

This day provides an opportunity to recognize the great efforts made by Army installations across the United States to support and protect Army missions through responsible management of water resources. The Army manages water resources and infrastructure to support readiness by:

(1) Executing water infrastructure projects. The Army is improving the reliability and resilience of installation water systems to minimize potential disruptions.

(2) Securing alternative water sources.  Rainwater harvesting systems and reuse of treated wastewater provide alternative sources of water used for industrial, landscaping, and agricultural (ILA) purposes, enhancing resilience by reducing demands for potable water.

(3) Reducing demand. The most cost-effective way to increase water resilience is to use less water.  In fiscal year 2019, the Army reduced potable water use intensity (gallons consumed per square footage of buildings), by 28.8% from the 2007 baseline.

Guided by congressional, Department of Defense, and Army resilience goals, the Army continues to reduce potable water use and secure alternative water sources.

Please help celebrate our achievements and continue to focus on water resilience.  A World Water Day 2020 poster is attached for you to display. Our Army of tomorrow will appreciate the efforts we take today to recognize water’s direct link to readiness.

WWD_Poster_2020.pdf [PDF - 2.4 MB]