World Water Day 2011 was a success on several levels. At the national level, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called for a comprehensive response to the global water and sanitation crisis: “We know that for hundreds of millions of people today, water represents a deadly threat. And the risks that they face in finding water, hauling it, drinking it, cooking and bathing with it, add up to the defining challenge of  their lives. There is nothing more urgent and important than that.”

In addition, dozens of US Government and World Bank leaders joined to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the US Government and World Bank, as well as new commitments to solve the global safe drinking water and sanitation crisis made by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company.

At a local level, Lifewater International gained media attention as Congresswoman Lois Capps and the San Luis Obispo mayor carried a jerry can on March 22 to help raise awareness about the effort millions of people must expend to obtain water. Lifewater also hosted a booth at the popular San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market and raised awareness and funds online. 

Here are some things you can do next World Water Day:

• Drink only water on March 22 and donate the money you save so that others can have safe water to drink. Invite others to do the same.
  
  
• Encourage friends and colleagues to make and wear World Water Day t-shirts and carry buckets, jugs, or yellow jerry cans—full or partially full of water— along with other key figures around the nation. During the day, invite others to lift the containers to see what millions carry for miles every day. Offer a simple call to action. For example, you could encourage people to make a $10 donation to Lifewater International by using their cell phones to text SERVE to 85944. 


• Consider hosting a WaterWalk, where you invite people to carry containers full of water over a distance to honor those who do so every day. Have participants collect sponsorships in the form of $10 cell phone donations (SERVE to 85944). See lifewater.org/waterwalk.aspx for materials and more information.


• Check out the Millenium Water Alliance World Water Day site: oneweekforwater.org for great suggestions and information.


• Make sure you contact Lifewater Interational so that we can promote your cause and assist you with whatever you need. Also, let us know where we can document your activities and/or submit press releases.

 Thank you for joining us in the effort to ensure that all people have access to safe drinking water!

World Water Day Poster