What is World Water Day?

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On 22 March every year, World Water Day raises awareness on the importance of water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.

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The UN develops a report (called the UN World Water Development Report) that sets the theme for a range of key events and campaigning activities throughout the year. The findings of the report are used to make recommendations to policymakers.

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What are the themes?

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‍This year’s report is called ‘Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible’.

• Groundwater accounts for roughly 99% of all liquid freshwater on Earth.
• Groundwater already provides 50% of water withdrawn for domestic use across the world, including the drinking water for most of the rural population.
• Groundwater provides 25% of all water withdrawn for irrigation.
• Groundwater as a resource is often poorly understood, and consequently undervalued, mismanaged and even abused.
• Groundwater is key to preventing poverty, securing food and water, to the creation of decent jobs, and to the resilience of societies to climate change. 
• Reliance on groundwater is set to increase due to demand from all sectors and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

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‍Where to find out more?

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‍Further details on World Water Day and how to take action can be found here: www.worldwaterday.org

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The UN report, along with historical World Water Day reports, can be found in here. There is a shortened executive summary and a facts and figures document: www.unwater.org/publication_categories/world-water-development-report

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Borrowed Time will be providing further analysis and content on global water trends.