World Water Day

World Water Day History

World Water Day seeks to raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people worldwide currently living without access to safe water. It encourages people to learn more about water-related issues, including water scarcity, inadequate sanitation services, and pollution threats to water environments.

World Water Day was first proposed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and the first official observance was in 1993 with the approval of the United Nations General Assembly. For people in the United Kingdom, the day resonates with the current challenges the country faces in maintaining its freshwater resources. The UK has had to contend with increasing water demand, supply constraints due to climate change, and water quality issues due to industrial and agricultural pollution.

In the United Kingdom, World Water Day is observed with various activities coordinated by governmental and non-governmental organisations. These include educational events, campaigns to encourage water-saving habits, and actions to clean rivers and beaches. Many schools and communities also get involved with activities to highlight the importance of water conservation. World Water Day takes place annually on the 22nd of March, reminding everyone in the UK, and beyond, of the invaluable role water plays in daily life and the urgent need for sustainable water management.

Facts about World Water Day

• The theme for World Water Day in 2024 was Water For Peace. The theme in 2023 was Accelerating Change.
• According to the WHO, as of 2022, 2.2 billion people around the world have limited access to safe drinking water.
• To mark World Water Day in 2013, famous UK landmarks like the London Eye, BT Tower and Tower of London were lit up in blue as part of a global event organised by international charity WaterAid to help draw attention to the 783 million people living without safe drinking water.
• As per Water UK, the leakage from water pipes in the UK has fallen by a third in the last two decades due to significant investments in replacing and repairing infrastructure.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Water Day

Top things to do in the UK for World Water Day

• Don't waste water!!! Make a conscious effort to use less water on World Water Day and on other days. Some ways to reduce water consumption include, showers instead of baths, washing full loads of clothing only and turning off the tap while washing dishes and brushing teeth.
• Volunteer to help clean up trash and other debris along a beach or shore. This garbage and debris pollutes the water that we need in our daily lives.
• Visit The London Wetland Centre: Located in Barnes, this is a spectacular place to visit on World Water Day. The centre aims to protect the wetlands and the species that inhabit them.
• Read a book to learn more about Water in the United Kingdom:
  The Future of Water in African Cities: Why Waste Water? - by Michael Jacobs
  Water Security in the 21st Century - by David L. Feldman