H2o101.org

S.A.V.E in your Community

Safe - Awareness - Vision - Education

According to the EPA: "Across the United States, our growing population is putting stress on available freshwater supplies. Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population increased nearly 90 percent. However, in that same period, public demand for water increased 209 percent! Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day—enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses! This increased demand has put additional stress on water supplies and distribution systems, threatening both human health and the environment".

There's a reason that freshwater has become a national priority. A recent government survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. But by using freshwater more efficiently, we can help preserve freshwater supplies for future generations, save money, and protect the environment.

Water Trends - GEMI

1. A passionate network of volunteers!
2. Education
3. Awareness
   
4. Word-of-mouth

• Almost all living things on Earth need water to live, yet humans pollute and waste it recklessly.

• More than a fifth of the world’s population doesn’t have enough: it is likely people will go to war over water in your lifetime.

• Some areas have far too much water and suffer from floods, like Bangladesh and the flood plains of the Mississippi in the United States.

• Other areas, like Africa and West Asia, suffer severe droughts. The problem of water availability is most serious in Africa and West Asia.
  

• If water consumption continues at its present rate, by 2025 two out of three people will not have enough water for their basic needs.

• Worldwide, polluted water affects the health of 1.2 billion people and contributes to the death of 15 million children under five every year. For example, in Asia, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water and one in two have no access to hygienic sanitation.

• Mining and industry pollute rivers with deadly chemicals. Farmers spray crops with pesticides and fertilisers which are washed into rivers and lakes. In many parts of the world, people use rivers as open sewers and garbage dumps. Near coasts, when too much water is taken from aquifers (big underground reservoirs of fresh water), sea water seeps in and makes the water salty and undrinkable.

• Brown water running our of taps is a common problem in many developing countries. It has led to the outbreak of cerebral meningitis and hookworm.

• Collaboration between individuals, government agencies, the private sector, financial institutions, foundations, charities, non-profits, and private groups around the world.