The world water crisis is still not properly understood nor recognised. It is affecting rich and poor countries alike and for the porrest, it is a life threatening reality.  Here are some basic facts to scope the challenge

• Only 0,5% of the world's water ressources is available for man’s and ecosystems fresh water needs
• 1,1 billion people lack access to fresh water supply and 2.6 billion people to improved sanitation
• A person needs 50 litres of water a day for its basic needs. From the farm to its fork, the food for its daily diet will have used 3500 litres
• The cup of coffee you may drink reading this page required 140 litres of water
• Producing food for the increasing world population will require 50% more water
• Water networks systems can waste more than 40% of water suppy through leaks and cracks
• Each cubic meter of untreated waste water can pollute 8 cubic meters of fresh water
• Half of the world hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering water borne diseases
• Water-related disease kills a child every 15 seconds
  
  To learn more about the water challenge see the WBCSD’s water trends and facts [pdf]
  
  Ahead of the 5th World Water Forum (Istanbul March 2009), the United Nations have issued their third World Water Development Report - find out more here 
  
  

In your daily life

You can making a real difference by saving at home up to 40% of your water use without changing your way of living. Here are some simple winning tips to start making a difference:

• Put a displacement device in your toilet cistern
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth 
• Take a 5 minutes shower rather a bath
• Run washing machines or dishwashers with a full load
• Fix dripping taps and water devices
• Protect and preserve your food - it used a lot water to grow and produce it

Your local water operators or authorities’ web pages can give you more information on the water situation in your region and saving tips.

In your business

Water is essential for producing our energy, our goods, our food. In average industry uses 20% of all fresh water and agriculture and food production accounting for 70% of water use.  

Understanding the importance of water in your business operations is the stepping stone to better manage the resource.  Have you considered how much your business is depending on water? How many of your production sites are in water-stressed areas? How will that look in the future? How many of your employees or suppliers are located in water scare countries?

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has launched the “Global Water Tool”, a free and easy-to-use tool for companies and organizations to map their water use and assess risks relative to their global operations and supply chains.

Visit the WBCSD water pages to start making a difference.