Diamonds are forever. Gold shines like the sun. But water gives life. We can find rare, shiny, and precious resources on rocks and planets across our universe. Yet to find water is rare. Our planet thrives with life because it has water. Yet only 3% of that water is fresh and it’s crucial we look after it. When we respect and protect water we respect and protect life.
In light of World Water Day, marked on Wednesday 22 March, communities are called on to celebrate water and look for ways to make this essential resource safer and more accessible.
“The world needs water to survive but unfortunately this resource has never been under more pressure,” says Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager for Xylem Africa, a leading provider of water solutions. “World Water Day is a chance for us to reassess our knowledge about water and ask what we can do to help. Xylem is always looking for more ways to engage with people on the topic, encourage them to become custodians of their water and support their efforts. Every drop matters, meaning every action to help improve water also matters.”
How can we help water?
Water flows through every part of our daily lives. Whether we are fortunate to enjoy clean water flowing from a tap when brushing our teeth, collect water from a nearby source, or look after the infrastructure that supplies the needs of communities, every person can protect water and safeguard it for today and tomorrow.
Even small acts matter. Here are some examples of what any of us can do:
- Save water: don’t keep taps running while washing dishes, brushing your teeth or washing cars.
- Don’t pollute: Avoid discarding food waste, oils, chemicals and medicines into water, such as flushing them down the toilet or drain.
- Recycle: Reuse grey water to irrigate gardens, and capture rainwater for irrigation and outdoor cleaning.
- Be curious: Learn how water reaches your home or workplace, and what it takes to keep those sources clean.
- Clean up: Take part in efforts to clean local rivers, dams, wetlands and beaches.
- Respect water life: Avoid activities that destroy water ecosystems—those creatures help purify water for reuse.
- Fight leaks: Fix leaks and report public leaks to local authorities.
- Say thank you: Don’t take access to water for granted—imagine what your life would be like if the taps ran dry.
