[PASSED] Clean Water Act

[Embolalia]

Clean Water Act
Social Justice
Significant

RECOGNIZING the importance of access to water;

ALARMED that many water supplies may be contaminated or otherwise not potable;

SHOCKED that contamination of water supplies may be used as a military tactic;

The World Assembly hereby resolves that:

1) The intentional contamination of any water supply that may conceivably serve civilians is prohibited, for purposes military or otherwise, without exception.

2) The International Bureau of Water Safety (IBWS) shall be established, and shall:
i) Instate minimum standards for water potability and safety,
ii) Research and collect information from member states on methods for water production, purification, and conservation,
iii) Provide access to this information to all member states,
iv) Assist member states in finding and obtaining sources of water, and
v) Assist in the creation of international water sharing schemes, where such is mutually agreeable to the nations involved.

3) All nations must provide at least a minimal amount of potable water to all their citizens.
i) Such an amount shall be no less than that required for the healthy survival of the citizens.
ii) Such water must meet the minimum standards as instated by IBWS.
iii) Nations may contract such provision to administrative subdivisions, private corporations, or individuals, provided such does not impede access.
iv) Nations may charge reasonable amounts for water usage, provided such does not impede access.
v) Nations must provide subsidy, reimbursement, or other financial assistance where necessary to ensure all their citizens can afford access to a minimal amount of water.

4) Each nation may determine the following for itself, provided all other provisions of this act are met:
i) Methods for production and distribution of water,
ii) Processes and chemicals used for purification of water,
iii) Usage of chemical additives for public health, and
iv) Water usage, conservation, and rationing regulations.

5) Nations will be strongly encouraged to educate their citizens about the importance of, and methods for, water conservation.

The old one was repealed, and no replacement was ever written. I think this one is much better. I also hope I addressed the fluoride issue satisfactorily. I am, of course, open to suggestions and improvements.

[Greenlandic People]

Just right off the bat, without having given the proposal a thorough examination, I can already see potential issues arising with clause number three. Ultimately I feel that logistically it will be next to impossible for the WAWA to ensure that every single citizen in every single member state has access to "portable water".

And, as annoying as it is, we must still consider the possibility that some of this organization's member states may be life-forms outside of our own, preconceived norms and will therefore require little if any water in order to survive.

-Sigismund Ibsen
Greenlandic Ambassador to the World Assembly

[Grays Harbor]

As one of those responsible for the repeal, our stance is "good riddance" quite frankly.

[Neutonica]

3) All nations must provide potable water to all their citizens.
i) Such water must meet the minimum standards as instated by WAWA.
ii) Nations may contract such provision to administrative subdivisions, private corporations, or individuals, provided such does not impede access.
iii) Nations may charge reasonable amounts for water usage, provided such does not impede access.
iv) Nations must provide subsidy, reimbursement, or other financial assistance where necessary to ensure all their citizens can afford access to water.

How is this going to be done, given that water is a scarce commodity in the universe?

[Manticore Reborn]

you and I need fresh, pure water to replenish our precious bodily fluids.

[Hirota]

I'd add a clause such as...

URGES member states to share best practices regarding the treatment, distribution, and processing of water supplies with other member states.

[Aranoff]

The best way to have clean water reservoirs and water systems is by privatizing water resources and allowing Corporations to own, purify, and protect water resources as it is both economical, profitable, and ecological.

[Manticore Reborn]

The best way to have clean water reservoirs and water systems is by privatizing water resources and allowing Corporations to own, purify, and protect water resources as it is both economical, profitable, and ecological.

I would hope there is some sort of oversight. I can imagine some less ethical company putting things in the water giving people urges to buy other products of the company.

[Embolalia]

Just right off the bat, without having given the proposal a thorough examination, I can already see potential issues arising with clause number three. Ultimately I feel that logistically it will be next to impossible for the WAWA to ensure that every single citizen in every single member state has access to "portable water".

And, as annoying as it is, we must still consider the possibility that some of this organization's member states may be life-forms outside of our own, preconceived norms and will therefore require little if any water in order to survive.

-Sigismund Ibsen
Greenlandic Ambassador to the World Assembly

Just right off the bat, I never say "portable". I say "potable". It's an important letter, that r. And I suppose I could put a clause in to the effect of only requiring provision of a minimum amount of water needed to sustain life. I'll address your logistic concern later in this post.

As one of those responsible for the repeal, our stance is "good riddance" quite frankly.

I said good riddance to the old proposal too. But I think this proposal tackles the issue from a completely different angle, with far more quality and far less micromanagement.

I'd add a clause such as...
URGES member states to share best practices regarding the treatment, distribution, and processing of water supplies with other member states.

I think that's covered by WAWA, but I can try to work it in.

The best way to have clean water reservoirs and water systems is by privatizing water resources and allowing Corporations to own, purify, and protect water resources as it is both economical, profitable, and ecological.

I'm sure you think so. That's why it's expressly allowed in this proposal.

I would hope there is some sort of oversight. I can imagine some less ethical company putting things in the water giving people urges to buy other products of the company.

I think WAWA's safety guidelines cover that, but I can try to figure something in about that. (Fluoride debate, here we come!)

How is this going to be done, given that water is a scarce commodity in the universe?

One of the biggest problems with the old resolution was its micromanagement in this area. I want to avoid that as much as possible. As such, the actual method is up to the individual nation. One of the reasons WAWA is to exist is to help find solutions for places where water is scarce. I'll post more on this when I have time, but in short, water is important enough that at least a very minimum absolutely must be provided. It truly is a basic human - perhaps even animal - right.

[ANFO]

I like the idea, but we need to make sure we have the money to pay for this before putting it into practice

[Embolalia]

Edited:
2ii) Research and collect information from member states on methods for water production, purification, and conservation, and
iii) Provide access to this information to all member states.
Added:
3i) Such an amount shall be no less than that required for the healthy survival of the citizens.

[Mousebumples]

I have a few concerns with the current draft:

3) All nations must provide at least a minimal amount of potable water to all their citizens.

Some nations may not be able to provide such amounts to their citizens - notably if they are landlocked and without a natural water resource. Further, more impoverished nations may not have access to various innovations with regards to water. These might include things such as rain collection and purification systems, a mechanism for regulating/enforcing water conservation, etc.

I believe the proposal would be improved by speaking about methods of obtaining water, if surface water is not available, and the sharing of such methods within the WA. I also believe that educating citizens on the importance of water conservation (and reserving the right of individual nations to ration water usage/availability - provided that citizen health is not in danger) might be a useful addition.

v) Nations must provide subsidy, reimbursement, or other financial assistance where necessary to ensure all their citizens can afford access to water.

Further re-iterating that citizens are only entitled to have enough water for survival might be useful with regards to this clause.

Also, this might just be me (and/or this may be intentional) but "WAWA" makes me think of babies going "wah-wah" - whether crying or trying to say water. Might I suggest something along the lines of the International Water Association (or IWA)? (I'm sorry, but WAWA makes me wince, personally.)

Best of luck!
Ambassador Lizzy Hall
Leader of the Doctoral Monkey Feet of Mousebumples
WA Delegate for Monkey Island

[Embolalia]

Also, this might just be me (and/or this may be intentional) but "WAWA" makes me think of babies going "wah-wah" - whether crying or trying to say water. Might I suggest something along the lines of the International Water Association (or IWA)? (I'm sorry, but WAWA makes me wince, personally.)

It was intentional. At least I didn't call it the Effective Management Bureau Of Liquid Assets and Liquid Infrastructure Apportionment. I would never do something like that. *Tries to shoot a disapproving glare at the ambassador from Unibot, only to see that nation hasn't chimed in here yet...* I'm being intentionally vague about specific methods, because it would be impossible to directly address each method of water production, especially given the differences in tech levels.

A few edits have been made.

[The Palentine]

The best way to have clean water reservoirs and water systems is by privatizing water resources and allowing Corporations to own, purify, and protect water resources as it is both economical, profitable, and ecological.

I would hope there is some sort of oversight. I can imagine some less ethical company putting things in the water giving people urges to buy other products of the company.

Hmm..that gives me an idea.
giggles evilly

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Would it be a good idea to let member states help others in the provision of water? Such provision could pave way for an informal "international water grid" in order to cut water shortages, but it is true that water conservation has some potential here.

[Embolalia]

Would it be a good idea to let member states help others in the provision of water? Such provision could pave way for an informal "international water grid" in order to cut water shortages, but it is true that water conservation has some potential here.

Added:
2v) Assist in the creation of international water sharing schemes, where such is mutually agreeable to the nations involved.

[Embolalia]

Submitted bump.

[Embolalia]

Looks like it's going to narrowly miss quorum. Not bad, considering the fact that I did absolutely no TGing on this. I plan to resubmit on Saturday. (Unless 9 delegates appear in the next 4 hours and it reaches quorum)

[Syrrinx]

I suppose that all nations that can already supply clean water already do. Why does the WA need to jump in and tell them to do so? This doesn't even seem like it would be a WA issue, more of a local issue. This whole thing seems unnecessary.

[Krioval]

Also, this might just be me (and/or this may be intentional) but "WAWA" makes me think of babies going "wah-wah" - whether crying or trying to say water. Might I suggest something along the lines of the International Water Association (or IWA)? (I'm sorry, but WAWA makes me wince, personally.)

Best of luck!
Ambassador Lizzy Hall
Leader of the Doctoral Monkey Feet of Mousebumples
WA Delegate for Monkey Island

I am in total agreement. Please let the name be changed. Otherwise I will be forced to vote against it, and that would be sad.

Henrik Søgård
Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval

[Intellect and the Arts]

Oi! I seem to remember working on the old one, thank you very much!



.... this one's kind of better though. >.>


I'll give it a more thorough look in the morning, but PLEASE change the name... I'm begging you. I refuse to contribute Symbolic Coins to an organization known as "WAWA", no matter how useful it may be. Every time I hear it, I think something's trying to breastfeed. O.o

[Hirota]

I suppose that all nations that can already supply clean water already do. Why does the WA need to jump in and tell them to do so? This doesn't even seem like it would be a WA issue, more of a local issue. This whole thing seems unnecessary.

Because this proposal would prevent spoiling water supplies as a military strategy, would assist member states to help realise their obligations to supply their population, and because the right to clean water is a fundamental right essential to the realisation of all other rights.

[Syrrinx]

I suppose that all nations that can already supply clean water already do. Why does the WA need to jump in and tell them to do so? This doesn't even seem like it would be a WA issue, more of a local issue. This whole thing seems unnecessary.

Because this proposal would prevent spoiling water supplies as a military strategy, would assist member states to help realise their obligations to supply their population, and because the right to clean water is a fundamental right essential to the realisation of all other rights.

I see this as a legitamite tactic.
If a nation doesn't already supply clean water then it because it is either intentionally trying to kill it's people or it is simply impossible. Or it is dumb.
Yea, I guess having clean water is important. But I'm still opposed to this Act.

[Hirota]

I see this as a legitamite tactic.

Shocking, I should have known a nation as petty and barbaric as yours would see it is legitamite (sic).

But I'm still opposed to this Act.

It's a jolly good thing that nobody really thinks your government is really worth worrying about then isn't it.

[Syrrinx]

I see this as a legitamite tactic.

Shocking, I should have known a nation as petty and barbaric as yours would see it is legitamite (sic).

But I'm still opposed to this Act.

It's a jolly good thing that nobody really thinks your government is really worth worrying about then isn't it.

I'm just being realistic. Just because you pass a law to stop terrible things, like poisoning water supplies, to be illegal, doesn't mean that men already evil enough to do it will stop doing it. I am definitly opposed to this tactic, but making it illegal isn't going to do anything.
Yea, super jolly.