World Water Day 2018!

Each day is an important one for us as we work to bring clean, safe water to rural communities in Africa. Today, however, World Water Day, is a day we hold dear, and we look forward to observing it every March 22 as a way to bring awareness to our mission.

More than 663 million people worldwide lack access to clean, sustainable water sources. Almost half of these people live in Sub-Saharan Africa. The average amount of water that one person has to use for an entire day in rural Africa is just one gallon.

When we stop and really think about it, how much water do we use in a single day? It’s recommended that we drink eight glasses of water each day… at eight ounces a glass, that’s a half-gallon right there. The average toilet flush is 1.6 gallons. It can take five gallons if you leave the faucet on while you brush your teeth. The list goes on.

The average American is estimated to use between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. So, what’s it like to only use one gallon of water? We’re glad you asked.

This year to honor World Water Day, and to bring awareness to this issue, we’ve challenged university students, and anyone else who wants to take part, in a #W2TGallonChallenge. Here’s how it works:

1. Fill a gallon jug with water for a visual of how much water you have available for the entire day.

2. Pick and choose exactly how you’ll use your water. Using the restroom? You might not get to flush the toilet. Big coffee drinker? Maybe consider saving the water you’d use to make that coffee so that you can have water to drink with your dinner.

3. Document your experience on social media, and use the hashtag #W2TGallonChallenge. Tag three friends and encourage them to join you.

4. And if you can’t take part in the water part of the challenge, donate to Executive Director Susanne Wilson’s #W2TGallonChallenge fundraiser on Facebook. One $10 donation brings clean safe water to a person in need for 20 years.

However you do your part today on World Water Day, or any other day of the year, we thank you for joining our mission. Find numbers and resources and learn more by clicking the links below. On this World Water Day, all of us here at Water to Thrive are grateful for your participation and support.

Water Footprint Calculator

Water Use Calculator

Water to Thrive World Water Day Gallon Challenge Fundraiser