
In 1993, a United Nations General Assembly resolution designated March 22 as World Day for Water, to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year since then, World Water Day has focused on a different aspect of freshwater. This year, the 19th annual World Water Day, the Republic of South Africa is hosting a conference called Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge. The conference program brochure states that for the first time in human history most of the world’s population lives in cities: 3.3 billion people. The urban landscape continues to grow and 38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums. City populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can adapt. The objective of WWD 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.
Internationally, nearly one billion people lack access to safe water and 2.5 billion do not have improved sanitation according to Water.org, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. And at the same time, the US Geological Survey estimates that the average American home uses between 80-100 gallons of water just for indoor use.
