It’s World Water Day on March 22nd
Most people are familiar with observances like Earth Day and World Aids Day, but have you ever heard of World Water Day? Well in case you haven't, it happens every year on March 22, which means it will be here before we know it!
And if you aren't familiar with World Water Day, today we’re going to take some time to answer a few questions about what it is, why it’s important, and what you can do to conserve water.
Question: What Is World Water Day?
Answer: World Water Day is an international day of observance and action that was created in 1993. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the water crisis, which is a shortage of clean and safe water for people to drink, and to help put an end to this water scarcity.
Each year, there's a special theme chosen for World Water Day, and this year’s theme is wastewater. Over 80 percent of the water that’s used around the planet flows back into the ecosystem untreated, underused, non recycled, and lacking vital nutrients, and that’s water that could otherwise be used by people who are affected by water scarcity.
Question: Who’s Affected by the Water Crisis?
Answer: The easiest way to answer questions about the water crisis and who it affects is by providing you with some quick statistics. Around the world:
- 1 in 3 people (2.4 billion people) live without a toilet
- 1 in 4 people (1.8 billion people) rely on a contaminated water source that could lead to diseases like polio and cholera
- 1 in 10 humans (663 million people) don’t have a safe and nearby source of water they can rely on for drinking, cleaning, cooking, and bathing
While you may look around your neighborhood and not see the effects of water scarcity in your own backyard, even in America some people live without access to clean water so the water crisis affects people all over.
Question: How Can You Help This World Water Day?
Answer: We invite you to participate in water conservation by cutting down on wasted water at home, in the workplace, and at school. There are a number of ways you can save water, including:
Taps: Shut them off when you're washing dishes, washing your hands or face in the sink, brushing your teeth, and shampooing or lathering up in the shower.
Rain Barrel: Use a rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden, instead of using freshwater from the house.
Fixtures: Upgrade older fixtures and appliances (such as shower heads, faucets, and toilets) with water-saving low-flow ones.
Toilets: Never use the toilet to dispose of garbage, and use less water per flush by removing some water from the tank and replacing it with a couple of full water bottles.
Appliances: Only run your washing machine or dishwasher when there's a full load, or adjust the water settings for smaller loads.
Leaks: You can also save hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of water every year by fixing leaks as soon as you find them, so inspect toilets, faucets, irrigation, and pipes regularly for problems.
This World Water Day, do your part by conserving water, spreading the word, and fixing leaks around your house. Not only will you save water and help the water crisis, but you'll also save plenty of money on your water bills.
If you're in the Las Vegas, NV area and find a leak in your house that you want fixed immediately, called Anytime Plumbing, Inc right away at 702-362-9300.
