The Blue Communities Project

What are Blue Communities?

A “Blue Community” is one that adopts a water commons framework that treats water as a common good that everyone shares and is the responsibility of all. Because water is essential for human life, it must be governed by principles that allow for reasonable use, equitable distribution and responsible treatment in order to preserve water for nature and future generations.

The original Blue Communities pledge called on communities to adopt a water commons framework:                                                        

• Recognizing water and sanitation as human rights.
• Promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services.
• Banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events.

When and Where Did the Project Begin?

The Blue Planet Project, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Council of Canadians started the Blue Communities project in Canada in 2009. Building on nearly two decades of coalition work with local and national groups to protect and promote public water, the Project was initiated in the face of increasing pressure to put water up for sale and privatize water services and growing threats to water resources posed by unsustainable industrial activity.

Why are Blue Communities Necessary?

Although the Blue Communities principles are supported by many international declarations, including the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010 recognizing the human rights to water and sanitation, municipalities around the world are generally responsible for water quality, supply, treatment and conservation. The adoption of a water commons framework to address pollution, degradation, depletion, and privatization at the community level is therefore crucial in the battle to preserve water and ensure fair access to all.

The Blue Communities project is an opportunity for all people – residents, unionized workers, Indigenous people, environmentalists, students and other community leaders – to come together to protect water. Working together to make your community a Blue Community is a great way to build relationships and ensure that governments are held accountable for providing safe, clean drinking water and protecting water resources for all.

How has the Project grown?

The Blue Communities movement began to spread internationally in 2013 with Paris, France, Bern, Switzerland and other municipalities around the world going “blue” in the years since. This global growth includes an expansion of the scope of the Blue Communities project based on the three core principles, but inclusive of diverse global contexts.

In Latin American the Blue Communities project and principles reflect the regional tradition of Community Water Management, in which self-management of water by organized communities is widespread, promoting cooperation agreements amongst community water operators and between public and community operators, and strong commitments to environmental protection.

The project has also expanded beyond municipalities to engage other sectors. Schools, universities, religious communities and faith-based groups have also adopted the Blue Communities principles, adapting them to reflect their values and priorities. For example, in their principles, schools and universities emphasize their commitments to public education and policy engagement to advocate for sustainable water policies and equitable access.

There are now more than 120 Blue Communities around the world with many others in the process of joining the global network.

Note: This map may not be a comprehensive list.

The Blue Communities Network

Following its organic development and expanding scope, the Blue Communities project is composed of a diversity of local communities, loosely linked through a global network. This network has a Global Coordinating Committee which seeks to consolidate the network, share best practices and facilitate engagements between members across geographies, with an emphasis on South-South and North-South solidarity, and within sectors, amongst universities and faith-based organizations, for example.

This work is supported by a group of organizations actively working to support the Blue Communities project globally, regionally and nationally:

Join the Blue Communities Network!

We invite you to become a part of the global movement for water security and justice by joining the Blue Communities project and helping to protect the water commons – our shared water resources – in the face of increasing pressure to commodify, commercialize, privatize and financialize water services and resources.