World Water Day takes place every year around the world. The Day of Remembrance for Water is a result of the World Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The United Nations first proclaimed it in 1993 to draw attention to the preciousness of water and the global water problems. Every year, the focus is on a special theme. March 22, 2017 will be dedicated to wastewater as a resource.
Water without high everyday value
The majority of the population in industrialized nations do not hold water in particularly high regard 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 theme of World Water Day was “Clean water for all”. Even today, around 663 million people on earth 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. This was the theme of World Water Day 2001. The connection between “water and food security” was already highlighted as part of World Water Day 2012. This year’s World Water Day shows that wastewater can play an extremely important role alongside drinking water. Under the international title “Wastewater – the untapped resource”, the focus is on wastewater as a resource. Currently, around 80 % of the world’s wastewater flows back into the ecosystem untreated and without any form of reuse. In some countries, a total of around 1.8 billion people use water contaminated with faeces for drinking. This increases the risk of contracting cholera, typhoid, polio and dysentery. Every year, over 840,000 deaths occur worldwide due to a lack of hygiene when handling water, inadequate sanitation and contaminated water for drinking alone. 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 the 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.
