World Water Day takes place every year around the world. The Day of Remembrance for Water is a result of the 1992 World Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations first proclaimed it in 1993 to draw attention to the preciousness of water and the global water problems.
The focus is on a special theme every year. March 22, 2022 will be dedicated to “Our Groundwater: The Invisible Treasure”. This annual theme is intended to draw people’s attention worldwide and make them aware of how important groundwater is as an indispensable resource.
Water without high everyday value
The majority of the population, primarily in industrialized nations, do not pay much attention to water in their everyday lives. For many people, turning on the tap is a matter of course. In the kitchen, clean water flows quickly and easily from the tap for drinking, preparing food or drinks and washing up. In the bathroom, clear water of drinking quality is available around the clock for washing hands, brushing teeth, showering, bathing and flushing the toilet. Whether in private households or in companies, clean water is taken for granted. This is not the case everywhere in the world. Perhaps it is worth taking a look at your own daily water consumption on World Water Day?
Right to clean water
In 2010, the “right to clean water” was recognized as a human right at a United Nations General Assembly. Unfortunately, this right is still not bindingly regulated for the individual countries. It is therefore not enforceable. In 1997, the motto of World Water Day was “Clean water for all”. Even today, around 785 million people around the world still have no access to clean water. Attempts have been made for years to improve this situation. But in some countries and regions, this task is proving extremely difficult. The aim of World Water Day is to provide information, draw attention and create global awareness of the importance of clean water through activities.
Why treated wastewater is an important resource
Water has many facets. Water and health” are inseparable, but “water and food security” are also linked. Reference was already made to this topic as part of World Water Day 2022. World Water Day 2017 showed that wastewater can play an extremely important role alongside drinking water. Under the international title “Wastewater – the untapped resource”, the focus was on wastewater as a resource. At that time, around 80 % of wastewater worldwide flowed unhindered back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused.
In some countries, a total of around 2 billion people used water contaminated with faeces for drinking. This increased the risk of contracting cholera, typhoid, polio and dysentery. A lack of hygiene when handling water, inadequate sanitation and contaminated drinking water alone are responsible for over 500,000 deaths worldwide every year. Safe wastewater treatment and good wastewater management, on the other hand, can only benefit human health and the environment worldwide. The health and ecological benefits would outweigh the economic investment many times over.
A tip for your own multiple use of water:
Water can be used several times in your own household. If you wash organic fruit and vegetables, for example, you can easily use the clear water to water green plants. Collected rainwater can also be used to water indoor and garden plants.
Bildquelle: Pexels
