Nov 30, 2022
My guest this week is George McGraw, founder and CEO of DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit serving 2.2 million+ Americans without sinks, bathtubs or toilets that the rest of us take for granted.
While most people think of the “water crisis” as a problem in Africa or India, more than 2 million Americans still don't have clean, running water or basic plumbing at home. George started DigDeep to help those communities build and manage their own water systems, advocate for their rights, and teach all Americans to use our precious resources more intelligently.
George is an avid speaker and writer and has been published by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Nation and many others. He has been profiled by NPR, Vice, and Forbes, and spoken at events hosted by the Clinton Foundation, The Atlantic and Ford.
4:35 – George 101
- DigDeep is based in Los Angeles and is a non-profit, not a charity.
- George has always been a little bit of a water nerd.
- He started working in Africa and realized people in the U.S. need help with water, too.
9:36 – Educating people about water
- DigDeep was the only organization working on the water issue in the U.S.
- Tens of millions of more Americans have a water tap, but they can’t use the water.
21:01 – Working water
- Water systems usually work very well and are so reliable that when you walk to your sink and turn it on, you’re not surprised that it works.
- Most people take water for granted.
- Most people lack a connection to water problems, because they have not experienced it.
- We have more of a connection to our wifi signal than we do to our water.
30:42 – Economic impact
- He published a new report this past summer about the water crisis and the economic impact.
- People without access to water are more likely to get sick.
- People experience anxiety and depression because they can’t get access to water.
41:40 – Get to know you
- Memorable experience in past year? George’s best friend moved to New York and has impacted him emotionally.
- Something we’d never guess about him? He is an artist and makes neon signs.
FEATURED QUOTES
How am I going to get enough clean water for me and my family to survive?
I’ve always been a little bit of a water nerd.
We have more of a connection to our wifi signal than we do to our water.
CONNECT:
Thank you to our partners of the show!
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