Repeal "Clean Water Act" - General Assembly

[Myroria]

The World Assembly

APPLAUDS the noble intent behind the Clean Water Act
CONCURS with the basic principles underlying the Clean Water Act
DISMAYED that the Clean Water Act did not address the organization of international efforts to relieve poor, drought-ridden nations, or even attempt to require other nations to recognize the plight of these nations

RECOGNIZES with dismay the many shortcomings of the resolution:

1) The resolution is disappointingly vague on important points including, but not limited to:
A) It's first clause, which states without further elaboration, "The intentional contamination of any water supply that may conceivably serve civilians is prohibited, for purposes military or otherwise, without exception."
- Further elaboration as to the meaning of 'contamination,' or 'conceivably serve civilians' is absent from the legislation, leaving in doubt what water supplies are affected by the resolution, and what is considered 'contamination' with regards to a water supply.
- The use of nuclear weapons is clearly prohibited by this act, which is completely apart from the intent of the resolution.
B) Its statement that the clause applies 'without exception' seems absurd considering its vague nature.
C) The use of the word 'civilian' in clause 1 seems misplaced, as the rest of the resolution deals with mandates concerning only 'citizens' of member nations, rather than civilians in general.
- The use of the word 'civilian' is further misplaced, as the third line of the resolution reads, "SHOCKED that contamination of water supplies may be used as a military tactic."

2) Its section labeled '3', clause 'iv', which states: "Nations may charge reasonable amounts for water usage, provided such does not impede access."
A) The clause seems to be contradictory, as any price charged for water usage would impede access.
B) By preventing nations from impeding access to water, the resolution greatly reduces the ability of nations to conserve water in times of sustained drought.

3) Its section labeled '3', clause 'v,' which requires nations to provide aid to those lacking clean water.
A) The legislation does not address the fact that many nations do not have the power to ensure that the aid provided is actually used to obtain clean water.

HEREBY renders GA Resolution #105, "Clean Water Act" null and void.

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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.

[Zimmerwald]

Wasn't this just passed?  Somebody's a sore loser, and this got bumped to the top of the queue to boot!