World Water Day

World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about taking action to tackle the water crisis.

There are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water.

This year’s theme is waste water, and draws attention to reducing and reusing wastewater. 

Did you know:

• By 2050, close to 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, compared to 50% today. (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2014), World Urbanization Prospects: 2014)
• Globally, over 80% of the wastewater generated by society flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused. (Sato et. al, 2013)
• 1.8 billion people use a source of drinking water contaminated with faeces. (WHO/UNICEF (2014), Progress on drinking water and sanitation: 2014)
• Unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene cause around 842,000 deaths each year. (WHO (2014), Preventing diarrhoea through better water, sanitation and hygiene: exposures and impacts in low- and middle-income countries)

Everyone has the power to make a difference, whether you are an innovator like Ludwick Marishane, or a conscious shopper.