The Water Environment Federation (WEF) celebrated World Water Day 2019 with the release of its first-ever children’s storybook, Why Water’s Worth It. This highly-anticipated book came from the positive response to the video PSA that was released as part of the WATER’S WORTH IT® campaign relaunch last October. Similar to the video, this fun and engaging educational book features a little girl with a big story to tell! With her nose buried in her book, she guides readers through the world of clean water, how it’s managed, and the importance of everyone working together to protect it. Written for 4- to 8 -year-olds but with appeal to readers of all ages, WEF uses rhyming text and more than 40 hand-drawn, original illustrations to present a simple explanation of a complex process while encouraging personal responsibility and thoughtful, green choices. The print-on-demand, high-quality paperback can be purchased directly through www.e-WEF.org. It is also linked through www.WatersWorthIt.org.
In recognition of World Water Day 2019, members of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) highlighted the importance of people having access to safe, clean drinking water. The United Nations’ World Water Day, held annually on March 22, focused on this year’s theme of Water for All. Read the full release here.
WaterStart announced the official launch of its Channels for Innovation (CHANNELS) website, as part of an effort to further its mission to accelerate the adoption of water technology. With the support of nonprofit organization ONE DROP, CHANNELS is a web-based knowledge platform that serves as a network for global communities to assist in pinpointing next steps for water conservation and sustainability.
Global Water Intelligence (GWI), the International Desalination Association (IDA) and the Global Water Leaders Group (GWLG) have launched a new initiative, the Water Scarcity Solutions Centre (WSSC), to help utilities and end-user build successful strategies for water scarcity. The Centre, which connects water companies with relevant suppliers, plant designers and technology providers, comes as utilities and industries in water-scarce regions are turning to desalination, reuse and leakage reduction technologies to secure their future water needs. With the long-term future of many local water resources becoming a pressing concern for many utilities and industrial end users, water scarcity has notably moved up the international agenda. Two-thirds of the world’s population already experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year and by 2050 water scarcity will affect the lives of five billion people. To find out more about the Water Security Solutions Centre and to view the Solutions Finder and water security case studies visit www.globalwatersecurity.org
Frost & Sullivan shed light on areas of innovation that have the potential to improve conventional systems and aid in efforts to leave no one behind on the worldwide journey to obtain water for everyone. Potable water resources are easily disrupted or contaminated as a result of changing environmental conditions and human interference. The traditional model in delivery of drinking water and wastewater services is centralized, leaving little redundancy in place should one component in service delivery be shut down or impaired. Read more here.
Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s driest countries, has announced a national program for rationalizing water consumption in the Kingdom, setting ambitious targets that include slashing usage by nearly 24 percent by next year and some 43 percent by the end of the next decade. Speaking at the March 17-19 Forum, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al Fadley, officially launched the Qatrah (Arabic for droplet) program, aimed at reducing water consumption as part of the ministry’s efforts to attain water sustainability, along its official website and social media accounts. Citizens can pledge to conserve water by registering on the site.
Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit organization that addresses global water poverty in 13 countries, delivered its community-based water filtration systems and hygiene education programs in Cambodia, India, Indonesia and the Philippines in partnership with industry-leading water, healthcare, technology and consumer goods companies. The foundation’s Project 24 event platform mobilized global companies and citizens to deliver its clean drinking water systems and hygiene education programs during the 24-hour span of World Water Day that occurs annually on March 22. Read the full release here.