Some Statistics

Water is essential for the survival of all living beings. Water fulfils fundamental human needs, being used not only for drinking but also for a wide range of other uses, including food production and cooking, hygiene, sanitation, individual livelihoods, industry and development. Water also has global spiritual significance and plays an important part in cultural practices.

It has been estimated that the provision of between 20-50 litres of water a day to each person should be seen as the minimum goal for compliance with the right to water in order to ensure our basic needs are met (source: UN World Water Development Report, 2006).

Despite water's necessity to life, the reality is that billions of people worldwide are denied access to adequate clean water and effective sanitation.

1.1 billion people lack access to an adequate supply of water 2.6 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation Sources: UN World Water Development Report 2006.

Water is a finite resource. Although two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only approximately 2.5% of this is freshwater. Of this, the total usable freshwater supply for ecosystems and humans is less than 1%
(Source: UN Environmental Programme, Vital Water Report/Graphics).

The problem of water scarcity has been compounded by man-made factors such as pollution, the mismanagement of water resources and increasing demand, particularly in the industrial sector. At the same time, lack of access to water by poor people is being exacerbated by water privatisation policies that inadequately protect access by poor individuals and communities.