What if you woke up tomorrow, turned on the shower—and there was no water? Went to brush your teeth—nothing. Tried the coffee pot—and still dry. Went for a stroll by your favorite lake - and it was bare. Water is essential, every day. This scenario is one way we encourage you to pause and reflect on how vital water is to you, to our City, and to our surrounding communities.
Imagine a Day Without Water, a national day of action, is observed this year on October 16, 2025. This day serves as a reminder of the critical importance of clean, accessible water and the need to use it wisely. It’s a call to action for all of us—to recognize that without water, many of the daily activities we take for granted would come to a halt.
This day is for everyone—community leaders, elected officials, educators, conservationists, and residents alike—to consider how crucial water is by imagining just one day without it. The national movement encourages people to reflect on water’s role in our daily lives and join together in efforts to protect and conserve this vital resource.
Across the country, cities and communities are participating in this effort to raise awareness. In Raleigh, we’ve heard directly from several City departments about the indispensable role water plays in their daily operations. From emergency services to public health, water is central to the work that keeps our City functioning.
Water impacts so many aspects of our lives. As important as drinking and cleaning are, it is also about services, infrastructure, and systems we rely on every day. By understanding the broader impact of water use, we can all do our part to protect this resource for future generations.
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How You Can Help
Contribute to our community:
Project Share Program: Help those in need by contributing to this initiative. Contact City of Raleigh Customer Care or call 919-996-3245.
Receive support:
Utility Customer Assistance Program (UCAP): Apply for financial assistance to help cover your water bill. Contact Customer Care or call 919-996-3245.
Help protect our environment:
Raleigh Rainwater Rewards Program: install green stormwater infrastructure with financial assistance. Contact Raleigh Stormwater to learn more.
Help prevent pollution in our creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes: