DOW joins nationwide “Imagine a Day Without Water” to highlight water’s essential role Oct. 15
LĪHU’E – The Department of Water (DOW) is proud to join industry leaders, businesses, community advocates, and policymakers in recognizing “Imagine a Day Without Water” (IADWW) on October 15, 2026. This National Day of Awareness encourages Americans to reflect on the vital role water plays in every aspect of daily life and underscores how clean, reliable water sustains our families, strengthens our communities, and fuels our economy.
From brewing morning coffee to keeping industries running, water powers everything we do. It keeps families healthy, drives local economies, and helps our communities thrive. But too often, we don’t think about it until it’s gone — when a main breaks, a drought hits, or the tap runs dry.
“Access to safe, reliable water is something we can never take for granted. Very quickly, we learn how indispensable water is in our everyday lives, and how our health, environment, and economy depend on reliable access to clean water,” said Joe Tait, Manager and Chief Engineer of Kaua’i Department of Water. “Here on Kaua’i, water makes it possible for our island communities to live and have life. Investing in water means investing in our future.”
Each year, IADWW invites us to recognize how crucial our need for water really is by visualizing life without it, just for one day. Reliable water isn’t just about convenience; it’s the foundation of public health, economic growth, and community resilience.
According to the 2026 Value of Water Index, most Americans agree that investing in water is essential. Support for prioritizing reliable water access reached a new high, outranking all other key issues presented to voters. Voters believe continued investments in drinking water and wastewater services are critical to support life – 96% believe these water investments are critical for good public health, 95% believe it’s critical for the overall well-being of their communities, and 85% of voters believe they’re critical for a strong economy.
For further information, please contact Tiare Nichols at 808-245-5461, or email publicrelations@kauaiwater.org.
Imagine a Day Without Water graphic.
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