World Water Day (WWD), held on 22 March every year, is an annual United Nations Observance that celebrates water and raises awareness of the two billion people currently living without access to safe water.
The theme of WWD 2022 is “Groundwater – Making the invisible visible”. Groundwater’s vital role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems and climate change adaptation must be reflected in sustainable development policymaking.
A core focus of World Water Day is to inspire action towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Utilities around Australia are marking WWD in their own ways, with many using the opportunity to acknowledge the important role groundwater plays in Australia’s water industry.
TasWater said, “This year’s World Water Day theme is timely. Groundwater is an important, yet often overlooked, part of the water cycle which is important to both ecosystem health and the health of our communities.
“With a predicted drying climate, it’s now more important than ever to consider the whole water cycle for environmental, social and health outcomes.”
WA Water Minister, Dave Kelly, said, “World Water Day is an opportunity to reflect on where our water comes from and to consider how we can all help ensure a sustainable future for WA’s most precious resource.
“Perth was the first city in Australia to desalinate seawater as a drinking water source and one of the first cities in the world to pursue groundwater replenishment. Today, we’re the only Australian city with two desalination plants, and soon a third will be needed.
“Because of the impacts of climate change, Perth and Mandurah’s precious groundwater supply is literally disappearing beneath our feet.
“We need to act now to protect our precious groundwater resources because sustainable groundwater use is critical to protecting our wetlands, lakes and bushland from the impacts of climate change.
“Water supply planning is driven by many factors, but one way we can all help is by staying as waterwise as possible. Since 2008, average household water use has fallen by 50,000 litres, which is a significant achievement in the face of hotter average temperatures.”