Safe drinking water is a right, not a luxury. Here's how to ensure no one goes thirsty

“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water,” the poet W.H. Auden once said. Access to clean drinking water is a basic life necessity that increasingly appears to be a luxury; one enjoyed by far too few. According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report 2024, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, while 3.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation services. The situation is worsening, as climate change continues to exacerbate water scarcity, and sources of safe drinking water become increasingly subject to conflict and war.

Though 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only 1% is available for human consumption and not all of that significantly small portion is clean. Every 10 seconds, a person dies due to a lack of access to clean water – and communities suffer bacterial infections, parasites and dehydration. Families often dedicate their limited funds to purchasing materials to purify water, or are forced to buy bottled water. Children’s education is impacted by missing school days caused by waterborne illness.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Christian Troy and Riley Garrison.

IMESASISHWA MWISHO

October 27, 2024

Imeandikwa na
Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha

Christian Troy and Riley Garrison

Executive Director and Project Manager

Christian Troy is the Executive Director for Waves for Water. Riley Garrison is the Project Manager for Waves for Water.

Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi

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It's a 0.1 micron inline filter that fits in the palm of your hand and attaches to an included drinking pouch.

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For extreme bug conditions (deep woods, swamps), pairing the shirt with a dedicated insect repellent like Sawyer Permethrin is recommended, as the shirt itself isn’t chemically treated.

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