World Water Day: Water for Cities - How you can get involved

Click here to view the World Water Day Live Webcast!

The most important natural resource and commodity in this world is water. Because it flows to use so easily to us in different forms (ie. tap, bottled, flavored, sparkling), we sometimes take it for granted. World Water Day calls international attention to the plight of communities with inadequate access to water and sanitation. 

International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.

This is the first time in human history that most of the world's population live in cities: 3.3 billion people...and the urban landscape continues to grow.

38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums, while the city populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can adapt.

The objective of World Water Day 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. 

This year's theme, Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge, aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management.

Resources:

• World Water Day Official Brochure
• World Water Day 2011 Programme
• World Water Day 2011 Advocacy Guide

 In celebration of this day, Huffington Post offers 8 ways you can get involved: 

1. Charity: Water - dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to communities in developing nations. They fund 3,811 projects, which provide water for more than 1.7 million people by digging wells, harvesting rainwater and installing filters. Volunteer and attend monthly volunteer nights in New York City. Schools can get involved in Water for Schools, a student-led campaign that helps bring water to schools in developing countries.
2. Water.org - Cofounded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org provides communities in developing countries with adequate water supplies by building partnerships with local organizations. Water.org has projects based in 11 countries including an initiative in Haiti, to provide safe water and sanitation for 50,000 people. Supporters can follow Water.org's progress on my.Water.org, like it on Facebook, or follow it on Twitter. It also offers lesson plans for teachers and fundraising kits for supporters interested in running their own fundraisers.
3. The UNICEF Tap Project was started in New York City in 2007. The concept: participating restaurants ask patrons to donate at least $1 for tap water usually served for free. Funds collected go to UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene programs. Their Celebrity Tap Project gives participants the chance to win "some ridiculously famous water," drawn from the homes of celebrities "more famous than you." Donate $5 to enter the sweepstakes or find a restaurant in your hometown participating in the UNICEF Tap Project during 2011 Global Water Week (March 20-26).
4. Living Water International - This Houston-based nonprofit was founded in 1990 when a group of travelers went to Kenya and noticed the lack of clean drinking water available. Today, Living Water International trains, equips and consults nationals in 26 countries to create sustainable, long-term, local solutions for 9.5 million people. Make a donation, or volunteer at home or in the field. You can also create an advocacy page or show support for LWI on Facebook from the comfort of your computer.
5. The Samburu Project provides clean, safe drinking water to communities in Wamba, Samburu, Kenya. They drill shallow wells, which are easy to access and operate by locals. In the Samburu District, women and children walk up to 12 miles every day in search of water, which is often contaminated. Clean water in the region supports education, health care, livelihoods and women's empowerment. This Sunday in Hermosa Beach, Calif., the Samburu Project will participate in the 2nd Annual Walk For Water -- a four-mile fundraising walk to support the organization's water projects. Sign up for the Walk For Water and learn more about the Samburu Project.
6. A Drink For Tomorrow (ADFT) works with the drink and beverage industry to raise money for clean water projects and help the approximately 884 million people without access to clean water. The organization uses cause marketing partnerships and community events so the drinks consumed in America today can go towards providing clean water for someone in a developing country tomorrow. Establish a business partnership in your community with A Drink For Tomorrow or find an event year you.
7. Drop in the Bucket, based in Los Angeles and Gulu, Uganda, installs water wells and sanitation systems at large rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa. Since its inception 11 years ago, Drop in the Bucket has constructed over 90 water wells and numerous sanitation systems in places including Tanzania, Mozambique, South Sudan, Chad, Kenya and Uganda. Find a fundraising campaign or learn how to raise money and name a well.
8. Innovation, collaboration and urgent action -- these are the tools the Safe Water Network believes will solve the global water crisis. Safe Water Network uses a small team of specialized practitioners who adapt the latest technologies for local solutions. Their work using safe water kiosks and rainwater harvesting initiatives have given over 80,000 people access to safe water in Ghana, Kenya and India. Learn more about Safe Water Network or make a donation.