About 70 percent of the world is made up of water. While much of this water exists in oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes, about 30 percent is right under our feet. Scientists call this “groundwater” — an abundant source of freshwater found in natural underground aquifers that humans use for drinking.
Currently, about 844 million people lack access to safe drinking water, a problem that will only get worse as the planet continues to warm with climate change, which causes major waterways — such as the Colorado River Basin, a major source of water in the American west — to dry up. Other man-made problems like industrial pollution and aging infrastructure are also contributing to the problem. For this reason, groundwater will play an increasingly important role in humanity’s future. Without enough water, humans will not only face a crisis of thirst, but also will lack access to proper sanitation, which can lead to disease outbreaks. It also means there won’t be enough water to irrigate crops.
One way to help prevent this is to celebrate World Water Day — a movement that aims to make water and sanitation available to everyone by the year 2030.
What is World Water Day?
Since 1993, World Water Day has been celebrated on March 22 as a way to create awareness around the world’s water crisis. The theme of World Water Day 2022 is “GROUNDWATER – MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE.”
“Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Out of sight, under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives,” the day states on its website. “Almost all of the liquid freshwater in the world is groundwater. As climate change gets worse, groundwater will become more and more critical. We need to work together to sustainably manage this precious resource. Groundwater may be out of sight, but it must not be out of mind.”
Want to solve the world’s water crisis? Visit the World Water Day website and learn how to participate.
Teach your students about water storage and how engineering helps communities preserve and supply water to populations with the IEEE TryEngineering lesson plan, Water Tower Challenge. Access it today.