KNOW THE FACTS

THE GLOBAL WATER CRISIS GOES BEYOND THE NEED FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER. MILLIONS AROUND THE WORLD ARE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS EVERY DAY. UNDERSTANDING THE NEED IS THE FIRST STEP IN BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION.

IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION, CONSIDER YOURSELF FORTUNATE.

More than half of the world’s population – 884 million or one in eight – lacks access to safe water supplies. Around the world, 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. (1)

FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, LACK OF WATER MEANS MORE THAN THIRST.

IT MEANS DISEASE: At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from disease associated with lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. (2)

IT MEANS LIVES ARE CUT SHORT: Every day 4,100 children die of water-related diseases – nearly one death every three minutes. (3)

IT MEANS THERE IS NO TIME FOR PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES LIKE SCHOOL AND WORK: Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources. (1)

AND WHEN HELP ARRIVES, IT IS USUALLY TEMPORARY: More than 50 percent of all water projects fail, less than 5 percent of projects are visited and less than 1 percent receive any longer-term monitoring. (4)

YET THE OPPORTUNITY IS TREMENDOUS.

Almost one-tenth of the global disease burden could be prevented by improving water supply, sanitation, hygiene and management of water resources. (5)

For each $1 invested in water sanitation, communities can expect returns of $3 – $34, depending on their location, existing infrastructure and available technology.

Join Xylem Watermark as we work to alleviate the global water crisis. Learn about Xylem’s commitment or visit the Make Your Mark page to find out how you can get involved.

Sources

1. UNICEF/WHO, Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation: Special Focus on Sanitation Report, 2008
2. United Nations, Human Development Report, 2006
3. UNICEF, Tap Project
4. Blue Planet Run Foundation
5. United Nations, World Water Development Report, 2009