The Water for the World Act (HR 2901) is on its way to being voted on in Congress. Clean water is an expectation for us, and by simply calling Congress, we can make it a reality for others as well.

It is no secret much of the developing world doesn’t have access to clean water, but I’d like to bring to light just one of the results of not having clean water.

Unsanitary water can mean diarrhea in young children. A minor irritation for children in the US, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death for children under 5 in developing countries and the first leading cause of malnutrition. The numbers are staggering: 760,000 children die a year from diarrhea. The worst part is that diarrhea is both preventable and treatable.

The Water for the World Act will provide clean water. If this act is passed, hundreds of thousands of lives will be saved. Call your congressional leaders. It will take less than five minutes, and it will matter.

Their numbers are available at http://borgenproject.org/call-congress/. Simply tell them you support the Water for the World Act. Congress tallies their calls, and they will act on the voice of the people.

Caitlan Parkin, Bellevue