How many out there could go for a nice, cold glass of crystal-clear water? Well, did you know there are people even in this day and age who can’t just go get a nice, clean drink of water? There are actually two billion people living without access.
To raise awareness, March 22 is World Water Day.
Water’s starting point
So many of us take safe drinking water for granted: we can just walk into the kitchen and turn on the tap. Or maybe you even have a dispenser on your refrigerator that gives you deliciously cold water at the push of a button. Take a minute, though, to think about where that water comes from. Almost all of the liquid freshwater in the world is groundwater, which supports drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, farming, industry and ecosystems. What is groundwater? Groundwater is water found underground in aquifers, which are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels that can hold water.
The problem
The concern, however, is that groundwater is being over-used in many areas. There are places where more water is abstracted from aquifers than is replaced by rain and snow. Then, there’s also pollution of groundwater which can take decades or even centuries to recover from. What we do on the surface matters underground. We need to ensure that only harmless, biodegradable products are used on the soil and that we use water as efficiently as possible.
You can help
One of the biggest ways that you can help is by awareness. Take note of how you use water, including some of the most common waste habits like dripping faucets, doing small loads in the dishwasher when you could wait a bit and do a large load, or even just leaving the water running when you brush your teeth. And then go a little further by participating in some of the World Water Day activities. Just go to World Water Day’s website to check out some options. Then do your part to help make sure there’s safe, clean water for everyone!
