March 21, 2008

World Water Day 2008

A day to think about the Earth's most precious natural resource

By Claudia Atticot

On March 22, countries around the globe will observe World Water Day. The idea for this celebration came about during a 1992 United Nations (U.N.), meeting in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The first World Water day was observed the next year.

MAHESH KUMAR A.—AP A boy in Hyderabad, India, joins other residents as they collect water from a mobile water tanker.

The day is an effort by the U.N. to promote public awareness and distribution of information about conserving water around the world. The day also aims to draw attention to the water crisis facing many countries whose citizens do not have access to clean drinking water.

A Dire Situation

For most Americans, a drink of water is a short walk to the kitchen faucet, but for more than one billion of the world's people, that drink can be miles away from home. And, for many that water is neither clean nor safe to drink.

According to the U.N., a child dies every 15 seconds from water-borne maladies like diarrhea and lead poisoning. Poor countries in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are suffering a sanitation and water crisis. In 36 African countries, more than half of the population does not have proper sanitation. More than 30% of the population of 27 African nations does not have access to clean water. Women in Mozambique, Senegal and Uganda spend about 15 hours per week collecting water. During the dry season, some villagers have to walk more than six miles to reach a water source.

Finding a Solution

In 2005, the U.N. launched the International Decade for Action, a program aimed at speeding up the process of bringing clean water and proper sanitation to those in need. This year is the International Year of Sanitation. Adequate sanitation is also the theme of the 2008 World Water Day.

"An estimated 42,000 people die every week from diseases related to low water quality and an absence of adequate sanitation," says U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "This situation is unacceptable."

On Saturday, more than 30 nations around the world will band together to observe World Water Day. You can join in and learn more about conserving water in your community by going to worldwaterday.net

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