Today is World Water Day, one of the most important days on the calendar for the water, wastewater, plumbing and pumping system communities.

This commemorative day was established relatively recently – the 2018 celebration marks the 25th anniversary – but it is no less important because of its youth. It is a day that all of us at PumpProducts.com and in the wider water community are proud to promote.

What Is World Water Day?

World Water Day is a day that calls attention to the need for universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, particularly in developing countries. Easy and constant access to clean water is something that many of us in the U.S. or other rich nations may sometimes take for granted.

Unfortunately, that access is something many populations across the globe cannot imagine. In many locations, people trek for miles to access clean water and carry heavy containers of this water back to their families or their villages.  Many times violence even breaks out over the lack of water supplies and the need for the clean water.  Others try to make do subsisting off of the contaminated water and often times end up sick due to bacteria and disease that is lingering in the unclean water.  You don’t need to be a scientist to understand how important clean water is for healthy lives, fair economic development and social stability.

A wide variety of events are staged across the globe in the effort to raise awareness. You can see a full list of the events at worldwaterday.org. Some of the highlights include:

-Slovakia holding a “Water Olympics”
-A tree planting drive in the Philippines
-Global water dances in Ghana
-A walk for water in Hong Kong
-Various panels, workshops, lecture series and documentary screenings on the importance of clean water in a number of countries

These events and activities are coordinated by UN-Water under the umbrella of a theme. Past themes include “Women and Water,” “Groundwater: The Invisible Resource,” “Water and Disasters,” Water and Sustainable Energy” and many more themes that draws attention to the way water impacts our world.

2018 World Water Day Theme: Nature and Water

This year’s theme is “Nature and Water” and the focus is on how the natural world could potentially provide some answers for the many water problems facing the world today. Some of the proposed nature-based solutions to water issues include protecting and restoring wetlands, reforestation, improved irrigation and a general focus on green energy-efficient infrastructure.

While the WWD concerns mostly about water problems in developing countries, the decline of wetlands is an issue that affects many developed countries such as the U.S. as well. It was widely asserted that the development boom that eliminated much of the natural wetlands in Houston, TX, may have exacerbated the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Whether that theory is true in the specific case of Harvey is up for debate, but there is a broad scientific consensus that wetlands in general are important resources for absorbing storm water. The overall decline of wetlands is something that should concern all Americans.

Water Organizations

World Water Day is about raising awareness.  Awareness is certainly a powerful first step in enacting true change. If you want to make a direct impact, consider donating

directly to an organization that works to address the problems many communities face in obtaining and keeping access to clean water. PumpProducts.com is encouraging our employees and customers to find a water organization to support.

Here are some suggestions:

–charity:water: A non-profit dedicated to improving access to clean water by developing community projects in locations of need. This organization is noted for accountability and transparency. Privately funded, charity:water claims that 100% of donated money directly funds water projects.

–Water.org: This organization is focused on empowering communities to get access to clean water through “sustainable financial solutions” such as affordable loans and credit. Water.org boasts a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and emphasizes the need for a long term solution to the clean water problem.

–Xylem Watermark: Watermark is the charity and volunteer division of Xylem, which manufactures our Goulds Water Technology pumps. Xylem Watermark boasts high marks for employee engagement and works on school/community projects, clean water education and emergency response projects. PumpProducts.com is proud to be a distributor for a fine company like Xylem.

Those are just some of our suggestions. A wide variety of organizations dedicated to solving this problem exist. You also might get more satisfaction from getting involved with local water efforts. Either way, we hope you look into World Water Day and continue to support the cause to ensure clean water for all.

Pump Products sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.