Celebrating World Water Day: Simple Tips for Saving Water

By Julia Hernández Malagón

Did you know that World Water Day is celebrated each year? This year, it fell on March 22.

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day that acknowledges the importance of water. This year, the United Nations’ theme was “accelerating change.”

In this article, we summarize some of the key reasons why water is so important and provide actionable tips for how you can celebrate World Water Day and lead a more water-friendly lifestyle.

​Keep reading for the full scoop.  ​

What makes water so important?

Water is essential for life, and the reasons for this are numerous. Water is so important for the creation of life that when scientists look for living things on other planets, they look for this compound.

Due to its chemical properties, water is a great solvent. Almost anything can be dissolved in water, and it’s known as a universal solvent. It has a high specific heat, which means that it experiences low changes in temperature, allowing organisms to adapt to the water around them.

Water makes up approximately 60% of our body weight. It cleans our body by getting rid of toxic substances and acts as a thermo-regulator by dissipating heat when our body temperature gets too high.
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It is also essential for photosynthesis, which is itself essential to life on Earth.
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Why should water be on our minds right now?

Despite clear evidence of the necessity of water in our lives, billions of people around the world have poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, according to a new report by UNICEF and the World Health Organization. This lack of water affects several sectors, including food security. Due to climate change, access to water is becoming less predictable, with many regions experiencing droughts and water scarcity.

In 2015, the UN formulated its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the aim of creating a set of global objectives to protect the planet and ensuring that all people can enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. Among these, SDG 6 seeks to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

To accomplish the United Nations’ 2023 theme of “accelerating change,” more action is needed.

How can I contribute to protecting the Earth’s water supply? 

Here are some tips to add to your action list:
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• Save water by taking a shorter shower, and don’t let the tap run when you are brushing your teeth or washing your dishes. 
• Only run your washing machine when it is full.
• Identify and fix sources of leaking water immediately.
• Eat local. Buy local, seasonal food with a smaller water footprint, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. 
• Switch to a non-dairy milk that requires minimal water in the production process, such as oat, almond, or soy milk.
• Check out more ideas here.

Below, you'll find some useful charts to help you gauge the water footprint of your foods. 

Graph obtained from: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46654042

Graph obtained from: https://www.statista.com/chart/9483/how-thirsty-is-our-food/

Understanding your water footprint    

Understanding our impact is often the first step toward making positive changes. 

By gauging your water footprint, you can measure the impact that your daily activities have and identify when and where you are consuming water. This will enable you to find ways to reduce consumption. As the saying goes, “What can be measured can be improved.”

If you want to get an idea of what your water footprint looks like, you can use this personal water footprint calculator. This tool calculates the approximate amount of water you consume in your daily life.

You’ll also see a footprint calculator for businesses that can help measure your company’s water footprint. This water footprint calculator measures the amount of water used to create and share your products or services.
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Don’t forget, water is a priceless resource that many don’t have access to, so please consume it wisely!