The United Nations has declared August to be National Water Quality Month in order to bring awareness to the importance of water. This time is created to remind us to appreciate and protect our water resources. Water is the basis of all life and important to sanitation, human rights, urbanization, sustainability, economic growth, etc. Water pollution is a major problem in today’s world, and declaring next month Water Quality Month is our nation’s effort to reduce pollution and raise awareness.

 

Some Facts:

•   According to the EPA, 40% of the nation’s waterways are suffering from water quality problems

•   Every second, the urban population grows by 2 people.

•   In Africa and Asia, the urban population is expected to double between 2000 and 2030.

•   The poor pay more. A slum dweller in Nairobi –Kenya- pays 5 to 7 times more for a liter of water than an average North American citizen.

•   828 million people live in slum conditions, lacking basic services such as drinking water and sanitation. This number is increasing by 6 million each year to hit a total of 889 million by 2020.

•   62% of the sub-Saharan Africa urban population and 43% of the urban population of south-central Asia lives in slums.

•   One of four urban dwellers does not have access to improved sanitation facilities.

•   27% of the urban dwellers in the developing world does not have access to piped water at home.

*Source- http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_cities.shtml

 

So how can we help?

•  Be Aware— Learn about the current water crisis and water pollution issues. Tell others why you’re participating in National Water Quality Month.

•  Get Involved— Reduce your household’s water usage by not wasting water while washing dishes, showering, or brushing your teeth. Take steps to save water by avoiding over-watering your lawn. Pick up trash and pet waste to avoid water pollution.

•  Be Used—Volunteer in a local cleanup/restoration project. Find ways that you can help with the water crisis locally, or start your own efforts.

 

Together we can make a large impact this month. Spread the word that all of August is National Water Quality Month!

 

 

The United Nations has declared August to be National Water Quality Month in order to bring awareness to the importance of water. This time is created to remind us to appreciate and protect our water resources. Water is the basis of all life and important to sanitation, human rights, urbanization, sustainability, economic growth, etc. Water pollution is a major problem in today’s world, and declaring next month Water Quality Month is our nation’s effort to reduce pollution and raise awareness.

 

Some Facts:

•   According to the EPA, 40% of the nation’s waterways are suffering from water quality problems

•   Every second, the urban population grows by 2 people.

•   In Africa and Asia, the urban population is expected to double between 2000 and 2030.

•   The poor pay more. A slum dweller in Nairobi –Kenya- pays 5 to 7 times more for a liter of water than an average North American citizen.

•   828 million people live in slum conditions, lacking basic services such as drinking water and sanitation. This number is increasing by 6 million each year to hit a total of 889 million by 2020.

•   62% of the sub-Saharan Africa urban population and 43% of the urban population of south-central Asia lives in slums.

•   One of four urban dwellers does not have access to improved sanitation facilities.

•   27% of the urban dwellers in the developing world does not have access to piped water at home.

*Source- http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_cities.shtml

 

So how can we help?

•  Be Aware— Learn about the current water crisis and water pollution issues. Tell others why you’re participating in National Water Quality Month.

•  Get Involved— Reduce your household’s water usage by not wasting water while washing dishes, showering, or brushing your teeth. Take steps to save water by avoiding over-watering your lawn. Pick up trash and pet waste to avoid water pollution.

•  Be Used—Volunteer in a local cleanup/restoration project. Find ways that you can help with the water crisis locally, or start your own efforts.

 

Together we can make a large impact this month. Spread the word that all of August is National Water Quality Month!