Blue Communities recognize water as a public good. They pay attention to sustainable water management and work to ensure that water supply and use remain in public hands. They support other countries in providing a functioning public drinking water supply and in achieving sustainable water management. To this end, they maintain a long-term exchange of knowledge and experience with partners at home and abroad.
Blue Communities encourage people in their communities to drink tap water whereever possible. Within their own structures and operational processes, they strive to use drinking water responsibly and, as far as possible, use drinking water from the public water supply. Drinking local, non-bottled and non-transported water protects the environment.
While the wording of the key principles of the Blue Communities may differ from country to country, these are the key values for all Blue Communities:
1. RECOGNITION OF WATER AS A HUMAN RIGHT
2. WATER SERVICES IN PUBLIC OWNERESHIP AND CONTROL
3. DRINKING TAP WATER INSTEAD OF BOTTLED WATER
Based on these three core principles, additional principles can be added by each Blue Community.
Blue Communities campaign for the right to water at the international level. They maintain long-term partnership with cities, municipalities or institutions abroad, especially also in the global south, where the access to water is most endangered. The exchange of knowledge and experience is promoted through the network of the Blue Community.