From HumanRight2Water:
Professor Martha Davis from Northeastern University shared her expertise on the United States, with a particular focus on the State of California. She highlighted California’s unique position as the only U.S. state to formally recognise the human right to water through statutory law, explicitly grounding this recognition in international human rights norms. Professor Davis emphasised the importance of public water provision, noting that approximately 88% of the U.S. population is served by publicly regulated water systems. While California has made notable progress on water governance, she stressed that significant challenges remain—particularly in relation to water quality standards and affordability.
Professor Davis also reflected on sanitation, pointing to counties where inadequate access has prompted local mobilisation and advocacy. However, she observed that the current political climate has constrained further progress, increasing the importance for states and advocates to rely on international and federal standards and human rights frameworks to advance sanitation and water justice.
Source: HumanRight2Water – Turning the Right to Water from Principle into Practice
