Episcopal Church, 2003

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention urge dioceses, congregations and communicants to regard water resources as precious, and to recognize that the right use of water is an explicit means to show love for one’s neighbor, since water connects people and all creatures throughout the global community; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations and communicants to become active stewards of their water resources through conservation efforts including reduction of consumption; through examination of water discharge such that contaminated water does not improperly leave church grounds; and through the creation of environmental programs for stewardship of water and the whole of creation and for the education of congregants in regard to good and faithful stewardship of the earth’s resources; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations and communicants to undertake one or more of the following four stewardship steps:

• When and where possible, install water-saving devices, such as low-flow commodes and aspirators on sink faucets;
• Replant church grounds and home gardens with plants and trees that are drought-tolerant and have low needs for water, and that are native to the region and therefore able to survive local climatic conditions;
• Devise drainage systems that allow rainwater to flow from gutters and drain pipes to spread onto the lawn and landscaped areas of church grounds and home gardens, thereby reducing water lost to sewer systems; and
• Pave new or repave existing parking lots with materials that are pervious, so that water penetrates into soil beneath parking areas, thereby reducing the flow of oil and other auto fluids into streams.

Read the complete statement in the Environmental Anthology of Denominational Policy.

Water Policy
Episcopal Church, 2003

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention ask the Office of Governmental Relations to work on public policy to ensure that clean water is accessible and available to all; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns be urged to make water a priority.

• Other mainline Protestant denominations have made statements and policies on similar topics, including: Clean Water, Drinking Water, Law of the Sea, and the Exxon Oil Spill. To read more, browse the Environmental Anthology of Denominational Policy by denomination or by environmental issue.
• The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program has Earth Day Sunday worship and informational resources, on "Sacred Oceans and Seas" (2005) and "Waters of Life: Enough for All" (2003) or other worship and educational resources on water.
• Learn about the Eco-Justice Program's Water Campaign and Water Regional Training Events.